Piqué: "I use Periscope because the press print what they like"
The Barcelona defender enjoys answering his followers questions on the Periscope app but says he has respect for journalists and the job they do.
Gerard Piqué put his thinking cap on to answer questions from his followers on Periscope following Barça's 5-1 win at Rayo last night. As soon as he was settled on the team bus, the blaugrana centre-back swicthed on his smartphone to deal with questions covering a wide range of topics.
Piqué explained why makes these videos after Barça's games. "Why do I do it? I think the Mixed Zones are great, and I always take my turn to attend the press because it's something I have to do. Obviously, the television companies pay for to have post-match comments from players, journalists are good people and we have to attend them whatever happens but sometimes, you answer their questions and your comments are edited so they put out whatever they like; they only broadcast the words which interest them to sell more, get more page views. That's why I prefer to do it this way - you get all of the content, the questions and the answers and there's no problem or misunderstandings, which, let's face it, there are too many as it is".
The Barça defender showed the snacks he regularly tucks into after every game, which include pizza and Nutella sandwiches, "like my Mum's", and coca-cola, whilst admitting that he "had to insist with the club doctors so that they would allow us to eat those things", the post-match feast also includes plenty of water, fruit and sugar.
One of the questions Piqué answered was about his thoughts on Poland. "I played there during the Euros at Under-19 level; it was a great experience and the people are fantastic".
He said he would like to find the net with more regularity. "I hope to score more goals. I tried tonight but didn't get many chances, but you know that I love scoring. I would have liked to have been a centre-forward, but because of my height, it made more sense to be a defender. And besides, with the forwards we have already, I wouldn't get to play - not even on Thursday nights".
Piqué says he is undecided about whether to change his hipster beard, in spite of protests from some members of the squad to shave it off. "I don't know whether I will get rid of the beard. For sheer laziness, anyway, I can't remember where I left my razor".
As for musical tatstes, he said his favourite bands at the moment are: "Sopa de Cabra, Manel... I love all styles of music". And as for other sports: "I really like Futsal and I'm happy that Barça's Futsal team are up there at the top of the table. It's another one of the sections which we have doing well and that's what makes Barça so different from other clubs".
To end, the central defender was asked who he thinks is the best player in football history: "You already know, so there's no need for me to tell you".