Lionel Messi’s ex-teammate Gerard Pique announces shocking return to football just a year after retirement

Pique is expected to provide details about his future.

Lionel Messi’s ex-teammate Gerard Pique announces shocking return to football just a year after retirement

Gerard Pique announced his return to football as a manager in the coming days. (via The Sun)

Former Barcelona center-back, Gerard Pique who had announced his retirement from football a year ago on 5th November, 2023, recently surprised everyone by announcing a return to the sport, this time as a coach, without providing additional details.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner retired from football in November 2022, after enjoying a successful stint in the Spanish League with Catalan giants Barcelona, and briefly playing for Manchester United. Across 18 years, the 36-year-old became an icon at Camp Nou, securing a record 30 trophies, including nine La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League triumphs. As his tenure coincided with the team’s struggles and the rise of younger talents, he voluntarily retired from the club in 2022.

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Pique in a recent ‘X’ post made a massive announcement, revealing that he would return to football as a coach, over a year after retiring. The ex-Barcelona captain did not reveal too much about his next career move but assured fans of further details later this week, sparking excitement. Reports speculate that the Spaniard might take up the role of a manager with second-tier FC Andorra, a club he owns through his company Kosmos Holding.

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The ex-Manchester United defender might embark on his managerial journey at FC Barcelona, possibly overseeing the youth or academy teams. There are also indications of him assuming a managerial position within his seven-a-side Kings League, which he formed in 2022.

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Gerard Pique’s career statistics over the years

Considered one of the greatest center-backs of his generation, ex-Barcelona defender Gerard Pique retired from football in November 2022. Throughout his career, he was recognized as a modern and dominant defender, renowned for his strength, tackling, technique, and passing skills.

Gerard Pique at Barcelona
Gerard Pique played for Barcelona until his retirement in 2022. (Image via Goal.com)

Starting as an academy player at Barcelona in 1997, Pique joined Manchester United in 2004 as a young player, staying in England until 2008. Despite making very few appearances in the Premier League, he was a part of the team that won the EPL and the UEFA Champions League in 2007-08.

Returning to Barcelona in 2008, he went on to make 616 appearances for the club, scoring 52 goals in the process and securing an impressive tally of 30 trophies, including three UEFA Champions League titles and nine La Liga championships. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in Spain’s 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2012 Euro triumphs.

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