Gerard Pique in Spain's World Cup squad despite retirement
Barcelona defender, Gerard Pique, has been included in Spain's squad for the 2022 World Cup despite being officially retired.
has submitted their 55-man list to FIFA ahead of the World Cup last Friday. They have decided not to make their list public, but Spanish newspapers have revealed some of the names on the list. Luis Enrique will announce a final 23-26 man squad for the World Cup on November 11.
According to Sport, Luis Enrique has decided to put
Gerard Piquein Spain's squad. Pique announced his international retirement following the 2018 World Cup in Russia and has not played for Spain in the last 4 years.
Last February, during an interview, Pique admitted he may decide to play in the 2022 World Cup. He said:
"Obviously I have left the national team, but I'm the kind of person who might one day say 'oh' and I don't want to close the door fully,"
"I'd say that 99 percent I won't go back, but I don't want to say that 100 percent I won't go back."
Sport claims that Enrique also has selected central defenders Aymeric Laporte, Iñigo Martínez, Pau Torres, Eric García, Diego Llorente, Hugo Guillamon, and Sergio Ramos.
Pique has just played eight times this season and started only four matches for
Barcelona. He played in 102 matches for Spain and won the World Cup in 2010, and European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
Spain will start their World Cup campaign against Costa Rica on November 23. They will then play against Germany and Japan.
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