Xavi: Pique is a Barcelona legend

On Thursday The 35-year-old

announced that he will retire from football against Almeria on Saturday.

Pique started the game as captain and

beat

with two goals. He was substituted in the 83rd minute to a standing ovation at Camp Nou.

After the game, Xavi told reporters:

“It was a historic night for everyone, but mainly for Gerard.

“He had a great game and we wanted to send him off in the best possible way.

“The bigger the game, the better he performs. I’ve already told him he is a Barca legend, and we are very thankful to him.”

Pique himself on the pitch told fans:

"I was born here and I will die here.

"When you get older, you realise that sometimes to love is to let go. I'm convinced that I'll be here again in the future.

"I love Barca. That's why I consider it's the right moment to go. This is not a goodbye."

Pique joined Barcelona academy when he was 10 years old but later joined Manchester United. He returned to Barcelona in 2008 and during his 15 seasons at Barcelona become the player with the fifth-highest number of appearances in the club's history and won eight La Liga titles, three Champions League, three Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, and seven Copa Del Rey titles with the Blaugranas.

Pique who scored 53 goals for Barcelona won 36 trophies during his 18-year career, including a World Cup and European Championship with Spain.

Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong scored for Barcelona in the second half. Barcelona has played one game more than Real Madrid and is at top of the table with 34 points after 13 matches.

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