Gerard Pique avoided stoking the fire of his row with Alvaro Arbeloa any further and asked to focus on Barcelona’s Club World Cup semi-final.
Pique became embroiled in a row with the Real Madrid defender and ex-Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero after appearing to mock Los Blancos on Twitter as their Copa del Rey transgression become apparent.
“I don’t have anything to say. I said he’s not a friend, that he’s someone I ‘know’ and everyone interpreted what they wanted. There’s nothing more to say,” Pique replied at a Press conference when the topic was raised, according to AS.
“Sergio Ramos’ reaction? Fine. Any captain goes out to defend their player, because they understand and it’s normal for the role. I admire him and he knows it.
“Granero’s tweet? It didn’t surprise me and I have no reply. We’re here to play the Club World Cup because we won the Champions League. I can’t control responses from around the world, people do as they please.”
Pique got his wish as questions regarding the tournament in Japan came in, with Barca first playing China’s Guangzhou Evergrande.
“I know some of their players, especially the Brazilians and they’re good and I hope we suffer as little damage as possible,” he continued.
“The first thing is to win. It’s a prestigious and important competition with a unique opportunity to make history. We don’t know the opponents that well so we have to study them further.
“Barca always have to win. This is a different competition because you play against teams you don’t normally face, but that makes it more fun, for new challenges and experiences.
“They pose different problems and it’s good to face these challenges to continue to make history.
“We’ve seen some of Guangzhou. We know Asian teams are dynamic in their running and we have to take control of the game.
“Jet lag isn’t an excuse but it’s noted. We have to consider that, though I repeat it’s not an excuse.”
