OFFICIAL: Pique to retire after Russia

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has confirmed that the 2018 World Cup will be his final major tournament for Spain.

Pique was speaking after Spain’s 2-0 win against Albania in qualifying for Russia 2018, his 85th cap for La Roja ahead of what is seemingly his third and final World Cup.

“The World Cup in Russia will be my last competition for Spain,” he confessed.

“I’ve thought about it a lot. It’s not in the heat of the moment, I’ve thought long about it and I feel this way.”

Pique was then forced to deny claims that he deliberately cut the sleeves off his jersey in Albania, given they bore the colours of the Spain flag.

“I cut my shirt because the sleeves were too short and they bothered me,” he added.

“It’s very tiring, I know what I did and have moved on. I’ve tried everything but can’t take any more. This with the sleeves is the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

“They’ve made sure that I’ve lost my enthusiasm for coming here.”

Tags 2018 World Cup Albania Gerard Pique Spain
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