Former Manchester United centre-back Gerard Pique has announced his plans to retire from professional football, confirming that his last game will be this coming Saturday.
The Barcelona defender, who spent four years at Old Trafford between 2004 and 2008, has confirmed that he will hang up his boots for the final time following the La Liga giants' clash with Almeria at the Camp Nou. Pique made the announcement in an emotional social media video on Thursday evening.
Pique, who is 35, has been at Barcelona since leaving United back in 2008, racking up a total of 615 appearances, scoring 53 goals in the process. He has also won 30 major honours during his time at the club, including three Champions League titles.
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In a video shared on his Instagram page, Pique said: "It's Gerard. The last few weeks, months, lots of people have been talking about me. Until now, I haven't said anything.
"But now, I want to be the one talking about me. Like many of you I've always been a Barca fan. I was born into a football-loving family of Barca fans.
"From a very young age I didn't want to become a footballer; I wanted to be a Barca player. I've been thinking a lot about that kid lately. About what little Gerard would have thought, if he had been told that all his dreams would come true. That he would make it to the Barca first-team.
"That he would win every trophy possible. That he would become a European champion and world champion. That he would play alongside the best players in history. That he would become of the team's captains. That he would make friends for life.
"It's been 25 years since I joined Barca. I left and I came back. Football has given me everything. Barca has given me everything. You have given me everything. And now that all that kid's dreams have come true I want to tell you that I've decided that now is the time to bring this journey to its end.
"I've always said that there would not be any other team after Barca. And that's how it will be. This Saturday's game will be my last at Camp Nou. I will become a regular fan. I will support the team. I will pass my love for Barca to my children, like my family did with me.
"And you know me, sooner or later, I'll be back. I'll see you at Camp Nou.
"Long live Barca. Always."
Pique, who will turn 36 in February, played just 23 times for United, scoring two goals. However, he won a Premier League and Champions League medal during his time at the club.
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