Barcelona legend opens up on mid-season retirement and presidential ambitions – ‘If one day I see…’ | OneFootball

Gerard Pique and Iker Casillas have shared many experiences together over the years and Their latest conversation was no different.

The former footballers reflected on their careers, exchanged light-hearted jabs, and provided insights into the current state of football.

For Pique, the discussion naturally led to his former club, Barcelona. The former centre-back took a moment to reflect on his decision to retire from professional football in late 2022.

Leaving Barcelona

He explained that throughout his time at Barcelona, he had always been an undisputed starter, playing a key role in the team’s success.

Gerard Pique retired in 2022. (Photo by Agustin Cuevas/Getty Images)

However, he had made a promise to himself—if the day came when he was no longer an essential player in the squad, he would walk away from the game rather than sit on the bench and extend his career without purpose.

“At Barça, I always played as a starter, I always felt important and I always thought that the moment that didn’t happen, I would leave,” he began saying.

That moment arrived towards the end of 2022, and as he noticed his role diminishing, he realised it was time to step away.

He had multiple conversations with Carles Puyol, someone he considers more than just a former teammate—almost like a brother.

“That happened, it would be at the end of 2022, and that’s when my head starts to spin.

“I spoke a lot with Puyol, who is almost like a brother to me, and I was afraid of the day after. There is always this fear of the day you hang up your boots and your life changes, your whole routine.”

Becoming the Barcelona president

As the discussion progressed, Casillas steered the conversation toward a topic that has followed Pique for years—the possibility of one day running for the presidency of Barcelona.

Gerard Pique was asked about Barcelona’s presidency (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

He acknowledged that with so many people asking about it, he has begun to evaluate the idea more deeply. “From so many times that people ask you, in the end, you end up valuing it,”

While he has not made a firm decision, Pique admitted that he is torn. On one side, he understands that being Barcelona’s president is a massive responsibility.

“Being president of Barça has many more sacrifices than positive things can give you and that is obvious,” he added.

However, he also feels a deep connection to Barcelona, a club he has been a part of since childhood. He believes that those who truly understand the club, its history, and its identity should step forward when needed.

“If one day I see that the club needs people like me, who have sucked the club since I was little, who feel the colours, who know it inside, who know what the social mass wants, my responsibility is to be there because Barça has given me absolutely everything.”

He will step up when needed

Gerard Pique said he would help Barcelona if called upon. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)

Pique credited the club for giving him everything in his life and acknowledged that it would be difficult to ignore a call to serve if he felt it was necessary.

However, he remains undecided. On one hand, he views the presidency logically and wonders if it is worth the effort and sacrifices.

“I would tell you that I have this dilemma: on the one hand, I coldly see that perhaps it is not worth it; on the other, one day maybe, sooner or later, maybe maybe not. It depends on many circumstances.”

Casillas pressed him on what factors would ultimately determine his decision. Pique responded that it would depend on multiple elements.

“How the club is, many factors in my personal life… I have to value it,” he added.

Source: SPORT