Former Barcelona and Spain star Xaxi has said that Gerard Pique does not feel ‘valued or loved’ whilst playing for Spain.
Pique announced after Sunday’s win in that he would retire from international football after the 2018 World Cup in Russia, after coming in from criticism that he cut the sleeves off his Spain top to hide the colours of the country – which both he and the Spanish FA have denied.
"Carles Puyol and I have suffered it too for years, it’s due to a lack of respect," explained Xavi, now playing for Qatari side Al-Sadd.
"Pique took it seriously. He has the right to say he's fed up of it and doesn't want to go any more. That's totally fine.
"Anyone would think he ripped the badge off his chest, everyone knows that he goes out to defend the colours of the Spain team.
"I think that he's sick of it. It's hopeless because you don't feel valued or loved and they tell you that you are not committed."
