Pique insists he’ll be back to Barca

AFP, Barcelona :
Gerard Pique played his last game at Camp Nou on Saturday in Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Almeria and told fans he would be back during an emotional speech.
The 35-year-old centre-back, who has won 30 trophies with the club, including three Champions League titles and eight La Ligas, will retire from football after Tuesday’s visit to Osasuna.
Pique, who was cheered by fans throughout the game after more than 14 years in Barcelona’s first-team squad, enjoyed a lap of honour at the end of the game and was tossed into the air by his team-mates, as over 92,000 fans stayed in Camp Nou to pay homage to him.
“Thanks to my team-mates, the staff and everyone who helps us to make everything so easy,” Pique said in a speech to the supporters after the game.
“To the board as well, for these years. When you get older, sometimes loving is letting go.
“After a relationship of such love and passion, I think it was the moment to leave some space, to give some air. I am sure in the future I will be back here again.
“It’s not a goodbye. I left after 17 years to get some air. My grandfather made me a club member. I was born here and I will die here.”
Pique, who won the 2010 World Cup and 2012 Euros with Spain, shed tears during his speech, and also kicked a ball around on the pitch with his children as fans finally departed.
He received some individual accolades at a private reception in Camp Nou from president Joan Laporta and the board, before speaking on television again.