Joan Laporta: “What Piqué has done shows an unquestionable love for Barcelona”
The FC Barcelona president confirmed that talks about Gerard Piqué's retirement were ongoing but no date had been stipulated.
A few hours after Gerard Piqué's retirement announcement, club president Joan Laporta assessed the central defender’s news admitting that the club already knew the player’s intentions. Speaking on Barça TV, the president confirmed that Piqué's gesture shows an “unquestionable affection for Barça”.
“In recent months we had been in negotiations and lately with more intensity. We both offered our perspectives, being who Gerard is, we decided to leave the final decision to him. He will always be a key reference for Barcelona fans and what he has done shows an undeniable love for the club. His video was so emotional. Seeing his passion for Barcelona and how he transmits this to it to his children is powerful. Apart from the titles he has won, Piqué, will always be a part of the fabric of the club and a reference point for all Catalans”.
What Laporta did not make clear are the terms of the termination of Piqué's contract, with the player already owed arrears from club. Laporta also failed to offer information of what the player’s farewell tribute will involve: “We are halfway through the season and we will do what Piqué wants because we have to feel comfortable. He is a big personality and we are at his disposal to make his retirement from Barça as fitting as possible. The severance agreement is still in the process of being finalized, but I have to say that there is a great willingness to help the club because Gerard understands our financial situation and the intricacies regarding the financial fair play system in LaLiga and there is a great level of predisposition from his side to help the club.”