Barcelona veteran Gerard Pique hangs up his boots

FC Barcelona’s long-serving defender and World Cup winner with Spain Gerard Pique has decided to bring down the curtains on his illustrious career in football.

The 35-year old centre-back will appear in his last match against Almeria at the Camp Nou on Saturday. Pique made this major announcement on Thursday.

Pique rose from the youth ranks of the Blaugranas before making his professional debut with Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United. He joined Barcelona in 2008 and the rest is history.

He went onto win every single club trophies for club and country in offer. Pique has won the Euros on multiple occasions with Spain, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup as well in South Africa.

Pique has appeared in a total of 615 games for the 5-times European Champions, scoring 52 times and winning as many as 30 trophies during his career.

“Thanks @3gerardpiquefor everything. It wasn't the goodbye we expected but we always respect you for what you've done to this club as a player. @FCBarcelona #ForcaBarca #Pique,” a fan tweeted after Pique announced his retirement.

“Didn’t expect this Gerard Piqué departure to hit me so hard. A true legend of the game despite everything. A man who’s truly won it all. For all the times you defended the badge, thank you, Geri.” tweeted another fan.

Responding to the announcement another fan wrote, “He won everything at the club, left it all on the field, humiliated Madrid numerous times and much, much more. Thank you for everything Gerard Pique. Legend of the club.”

Pique's retirement will bring an end to long list of the legendary golden generation  of footballers for Spain and The Catalan giants.