Pique gets an emotional standing ovation following retirement
Barcelona's Gerard Pique gets emotional during his final Nou Camp appearance.
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Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique received an emotional standing ovation as he made his final Nou Camp appearance in Barcelona's 2-0 La Liga win over Almeria.
The 84th minute was emotional after he was substituted and he tearfully embraced all his teammates, boss Xavi, and the entire Barca bench.
Gerard Pique says goodbye to Camp Nou for the last time 😥 pic.twitter.com/KdDbZ2fi9j
— GOAL (@goal) November 5, 2022
The 35-year-old will retire following Tuesday's trip to Osasuna, however, it is unclear whether he will play. After the game, he gave a speech on the pitch, saying, "I was born here and I will die here."
“I was born here and I will die here.”
— Mahmoud Mostafa (@mahm00udmostafa) November 5, 2022
Thanks for the memories and everything ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/bVDBNLpFvT
He added, "When you get older, you realize 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 the right moment to go. This is not a goodbye."
'Sempr3'
Captain Pique entered the field with his two boys, while all of his teammates wore shirts with his name and number three on the back.
🏟 Attendance at Gerard Piqué's final game at Spotify Camp Nou is 9️⃣2️⃣,6️⃣0️⃣5️⃣! #Sempr3
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 5, 2022
Gràcies, culers! 👏👏👏#BarçaAlmería pic.twitter.com/g2rmsHk9oO
A massive banner on the pitch read 'Sempr3' (For3ver), and a video commemorating Pique's career was shown to the supporters on the big screen.
🎬 | Gerard Piqué gets emotional and stops talking and the Camp Nou cheers him up!pic.twitter.com/2FLYS9YsPB
— infosfcb (@infosfcb) November 5, 2022
Barcelona won a penalty early on, with fans clamoring for Pique to take it. The Spaniard, however, motioned to Robert Lewandowski, who stepped up and struck the crossbar.
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Pique, who led Barcelona with 53 goals, headed one over the bar and had another saved by Fernando Martinez. Second-half goals from Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong propelled Barcelona to the top of La Liga.
Pique came back onto the pitch at full-time to applaud the fans before his teammates threw him into the air.
Gerard Pique says goodbye to Camp Nou for the last time 😥 End of Gerard Pique’s era as football player. History. 🔵🔴 #Pique #Barcelona #FCB pic.twitter.com/i2tWXKJmLR
— Murad Hosen (@MuradThoughts) November 5, 2022
Despite having 18 months left on his contract, the ex-Spain defender revealed his decision on Thursday, and his departure will help Barcelona with their pay cost.
