Gerard Pique, after a period of absence from the mainstream media, appeared in La Sotana to talk about the 2021/22 season, his plans to retire at the Camp Nou, and more.
Here’s a rundown of the major takeaways from the Barcelona center-back:
On Espanyol
“I’ve always said that I like to play against them. I hope they fill their stadium.”
On the 2021/22 season
“We will win something.”
On Eder Sarabia
“He is a person with many concepts. One thing is Setién and another is Sarabia. Sarabia was the right person.”
On Ronald Koeman
“You are never obliged. Joan [Laporta] needed more time for reflection and ended up choosing Koeman. Now, he is the ideal coach.”
On taking the paycut
“I have agreed to reduce a part of my salary. My contract was ending this year but if I played X number of games, it would be renewed under the same conditions as this year. Now with the new contract, clauses have changed.”
On retirement
“I’m going season by season. I always think it’s the last one and if there’s another one later, then perfect. The day I see that I can’t give the team more, I’ll retire. I have always known how to manage my body.”
On Samuel Umtiti’s situation
“He is fulfilling the contract with all obligations. People have to be empathetic. His attitude is impeccable. He has never missed a training session.”
“Another thing is, the contract was signed by a president who was voted in by the socios. Most people have been in a company for 30 years and have done nothing. If I were in another club, for example United, I would be doing the same as Umtiti. Every situation is different. I only ask that people be empathetic.”
On the backstory of Lionel Messi’s exit
“Laporta called us to inform us. Although we lowered our salary, the club was waiting to see what would happen in Leo’s case. All we know is that there was agreement in place.”
On Pep Guardiola
“We reached an important point of tension with him and the dressing room in general. The Mourinho factor played a role too. Pep always wants absolute control of everything that happens. I start dating Shakira and the relationship with him changed. Now the relationship is perfect. I had a lot of pressure and, I thought of leaving, for once, in 11/12.”
On Josep Maria Bartomeu
“He must be there in the list of the worst presidents we’ve had. We are all guilty but it is true that the club has not gone where all the Catalans want. Now I am hopeful and excited. The next 5 or 10 years will be very good for Barça.”
On the club’s situation
“We reached a very high level in terms of football. A club cannot maintain itself at the level of such excellence that we achieved under Guardiola.”
