Gerard Pique has insisted that “I always want Real Madrid to lose” after refusing to apologise for his controversial comments about Barcelona's arch-rivals in June.
The defender sarcastically thanked Kevin Roldan – the singer at Cristiano Ronaldo's 30th birthday party last February – for the Catalans' treble triumph at their end-of-season celebrations but has since been subjected to boos from unforgiving madridistas while on Spain duty.
"My relationship with the Real Madrid players is fantastic, Iker [Casillas] especially,” he began at a Press conference on Thursday.
“He called to congratulate me on the birth of my son and I thanked him, but I also wanted him to concede four [against Atletico Madrid].
“The Spain squad are better than ever. Nothing's happened [in the dressing room], it's the others who want to complicate everything.
"I'll do everything in my power to overcome this but people are free to express themselves.
“I don't regret [my comments] at all, I'd do it 1,000 more times because I'm like that.
“I always want Madrid to lose and this is the sporting rivalry which has always existed in Spain. I won't apologise.
“I only worry about all of this for my teammates and the Coach because I know they don't like any of it. If I'm called up, it's for Spain and because I have to help [my country] win trophies.
“This is the best spell of my rapport with Sergio Ramos since making my Spain debut. We've spoken about many things and he defended me before [Macedonia]. You can say anything in the mixed zone after a game because it's so quick.
“I feel very comfortable with him and playing with him in defence.
"I've always had the utmost commitment to the Spanish national team. As for the Barca-Madrid rivalry, I won't change my stance.
“I feel very well, on both a personal and sporting level. I am a happy man and went to look for mushrooms yesterday.”
