Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has confirmed his retirement from international football
Pique was rumoured to have been considering his future with his national side following Spain’s last-16 defeat to Russia in the World Cup earlier this summer. However, some reports claimed Pique was set to continue to play for La Roja after Luis Enrique, his former Barca manager, was appointed as Julen Lopetegui’s permanent successor.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup match against Sevilla, the 31-year-old explained that he intended to dedicate the rest of his playing career to his club.
“I spoke to Luis Enrique a few days ago,” he said during a press conference. “He called me and I told him the decision was taken a long time ago and that I had thought about it carefully.
“It was a beautiful time with the national team in which I had the chance to win the World Cup and the European Championship. Now I want to focus on Barca,” he added. “I have a few years left here and I’m going to enjoy them a lot.”
Lopetegui was dimissed by Spain on the eve of this summer’s World Cup after it was announced he would be taking the job as Real Madrid manager immediately after the tournament in Russia. Although Spain made it through to the knockout stages, many felt their earlier-than-anticipated exit to the host was a result of their manager’s sudden departure.
