Gerard Pique has admitted that having Xavi Hernandez, his friend and former teammate, as Barcelona head coach is an added incentive for him to perform well.
The 34-year-old has started all three of Xavi‘s first matches in charge, with the Blaugrana recording two wins and a draw.
“It puts added pressure on me to have Xavi as a coach, you don’t want to let him down,” Pique said whilst on the Spanish TV show ‘El Hormiguero’.
“Morally I have to give him my best and if my performance is not the best I feel like I’m failing him.”
Messi leaving Barcelona
Last summer saw Lionel Messi depart Barcelona after it initially appeared as though he was going to stay, and Pique revealed the effect his exit had on himself and the club.
“It was very hard, we played together since we were 14 years old,” Pique explained.
“It was very hard from a sporting and personal point of view. Things haven’t gone well for us at the start of the season.
“I am happy for him and his seventh Ballon d’Or proves that he is the best of all time.
“He has gone to a new country and a new culture. It’s difficult, it happened to me when I was 17 when I went to Manchester.
“Leo has gone with his family and I went on my own, but it’s hard.”
Retirement
Reports have emerged in the last few weeks that Pique could be considering retirement at the end of the season, but he recognises the transition to his post-football life will not be easy, despite his business ventures.
“Many teammates say that when you retire it’s hard. You have had this routine since you were little,” he noted.
“It takes you a long time to adapt to the new life. People can take a year or more. And people recognise you less and less in the street and generations go by. It’s hard.
“Footballers are not prepared for this change. The AFE [Spanish Footballers’ Association] should prepare people to prepare for this change.
“I have been preparing myself for this life for a long time. Investing in business, projects, etc. And having something to do after I retire.
“The key is to have something to do after leaving football. But clearly, I’m going to miss football.”
