Piqué: A Barcelona legend

Barcelona soccer player Gerard Piqué announced his retirement on Thursday. The 35-year-old surprised everyone with the announcement, which he did through an emotional video on his social media.

When Barcelona plays Almeria this Saturday, it will be Piqué's 615th and final game for Barcelona.

“He’s an incredible player, a brilliant player,” said former Barcelona player Carles Puyol. “For me, one of the greatest center-backs of all time.”

Piqué has won a total of 30 trophies with Barcelona:

Only Lionel Messi (35) and Andrés Iniesta (32) have won more titles with Barcelona than Piqué.

“The only thing I can say about Piqué is that on a sporting level, he’s an example,” said Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández. “Whether he plays or not - he gives his all whether he plays 10 minutes or 90.”

In all competitions, Piqué has 422 wins, 118 ties, 74 losses, and 53 goals. He has played with Barcelona for 15 seasons, surpassed by only six other players: Rexach, Xavi, and Messi (17), and Sadurni, Migueli, and Iniesta (16). He has played the fifth-most games with Barca of any other player.

He is tied with Roberto Carlos for most Champions League goals by a defender with 16 goals.

He also had success with Spain, winning the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

This season, Piqué has played just nine games, which have seen him make some big errors, including in key games like in the Champions League game against Inter Milan.

But he will be remembered for his iconic triumphs like the two 5-goal victories against Madrid (2010 and 2018), the sextet in 2009, and the treble in 2015.

“Piqué has demonstrated his qualities in the last 10-15 years,” said Barcelona teammate Eric Garcia. “For me, I could say that he’s one of the three best defenders in history from the ones I’ve seen.”

Piqué's journey as a player is ending, but a new chapter will begin. Stay tuned.