Explanation: why Barcelona legend Piqué is leaving football

Gerard Piqué made the shocking decision to retire midway through the 2022/23 season, but what made him hang up his boots?

• Pique wanted to end his career at Barça
• I would not agree to the role of a replacement
• I felt that there was still a lot of football left in it

WHAT'S HAPPENED? The defender confirmed in a social media video that he will retire from football after Barcelona's match against Almería on Saturday in La Liga, with betting company 1win taking bets on the event . He announces his retirement because he is not ready to accept the role of a substitute and feels he can still make a big difference in football. The veteran has fallen behind Ronald Araujo, Jules Kunda, Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia in the Barcelona pecking order this season and has spent most of the campaign on the bench. He was given a chance to prove himself against Inter but failed to make the most of the opportunity, as his loss of concentration put Nicolò Barella on the side and allowed the Italians to equalize.

WHAT HE SAID: Speaking in 2021, Piqué said he would not accept a bench role at the Camp Nou and would resign if that happened. “I will leave Barça. That's for sure. What I disagree with is playing as a substitute. If it comes to the last three months of the season, which it will, well... But a full year on the bench. "No, I don't want that," he said.
It looks like he stayed true to his word.
REACTION  : A number of players and managers reacted to the news that Pique would hang up his boots, including his teammate in Spain centre-back Sergio Ramos.

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