El Presidente as he's fondly called by Culers and football fanatics around the world is widely regarded as one of the greatest centre halves of all time, made from La Masia - Barcelona youth academy - which has also produced world class players like Xavi, Iniesta and Messi.
Today, the 3rd of November 2022, El Presidente, has announced his retirement from professional football stunning football fans around the world.
New summer arrival, Franck Kessie might be the next to be dubbed the sobriquet "El Presidente" having had some affiliation with the name during his time at AC Milan.
Here are FIVE things you should know about Gerard Pique
1. He's only one out of the 4 players to have won the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE back-to-back with 2 different clubs.
Pique was part of the Manchester United team that won the UCL in the 2007/08 season and also a part of the Barcelona squad that won the UCL in the 2008/09 season in Rome, keeping him in elite coming as one out of only four players to have achieved this feat, the other 3 being Marcel Desailly, Samuel Eto'o and Paulo Sousa.
2. Pique started off his career as a "Defensive Midfielder"
Coming through the youth ranks, Gerard Pique played as a defensive midfielder, this shouldn't come as a surprise to football fans as Gerard Pique is known to be one of the best ball playing defenders you can find around. Gerard was also called Piquebauer owing to his ability to play as a DM and as a sweeper whilst also showing similarities to German football legend, Franz Beckenbauer.
3. Copa del Rey - First Barcelona Trophy
On the 13th day of May 2009, Barçelona cruised past Athletic Bilbao, 4-1 to clinch the Copa del Rey trophy, which was Gerard's first of many trophies for the club.
4. December 2010 - First Match as Barcelona Captain
Gerard Pique's first match as Barçelona Captain, came on December 2010 in the UCL, against Rubin Kazan - a match that ended 5-0 in favour of Barcelona. Up until his retirement on November 3, 2022 he was Barcelona's vice captain - the main captain being Sergio Busquets.
5. First Barcelona Goal - UCL top scoring Defender
Gerard Pique's first ever Barçelona goal came through in the UCL in the 5-2 win against Sporting CP. El Presidente as he's fondly called a beast in the UCL as he is still the top scoring defender in UCL history with whopping 16 Goals.
We wish Pique a happy retirement and good luck in the future.