Pique announces international retirement

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Gerard Pique has announced his international retirement following a recent conservation with Spain coach Luis Enrique. The 31-year-old decided not to return to the Spanish setup with the former Barcelona manager after nine in the Spanish set-up. Speaking in a recent press conference for the Spanish Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla, Pique stated “I have had a really good time, with a European Championship and a World Cup, but that story is at an end.” He later added, “It would make sense to leave it after the World Cup. It has been a wonderful time and I have experienced amazing things, but sometimes you have to end cycles and you have to do that in the right fashion.”  Pique joins former teammate Andres Iniesta, who also announced his international retirement after Spain’s penalty shootout defeat to hosts Russia in the Round of 16 of the World Cup. Pique has won 102 caps for La Roja making his debut in February 2009 against England. Pique was part of Spain’s successful dominance in international football winning the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012. A Catalan, Pique has been at odds with Spanish fans in recent years following his public remarks supporting Catalonia’s independence including the independence referendum for the region back in 2017. He is one of thirteen players to have won over 100 caps for the Spanish National Team.

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