Gerard Pique insists Barcelona will be the only priority for the rest of his career after doubling down on his decision to retire from Spain duty after this summer’s World Cup.
The 31-year-old had hinted as far back as 2016 that Russia would be his last dance with a Spain side with which he has already won both the European Championship and the World Cup.
He also offered to quit with immediate effect after coming under-fire for his role in the debate over Catalonia’s independence last year – a political issue that still divides the Spanish nation.
However, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and other key Barcelona pieces heading into the latter part of their careers, Pique says the global showpiece marks the perfect time to withdraw from the international stage.
“It is not because of (the independence) issue, for sure,” Pique told business magazine Fortune. “I’m 31. We are playing the World Cup in June. And after this I think it is enough.
“My career for the national team has been more than 10 years. It’s been very successful. We’ve won the World Cup (in 2010), the European cup, we have won everything. And I hope we can win another World Cup.
“I’m very proud of all the career I’ve had with the national team. But now I want to focus on my career in the club.”
