"We are going to miss him", the message from the locker room to Piqué

Thoughtful and wanting to make the most of everything he saw, Gerard Piqué set foot on the Camp Nou pitch for the last time.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
05 November 2022 Saturday 18:35
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"We are going to miss him", the message from the locker room to Piqué

Thoughtful and wanting to make the most of everything he saw, Gerard Piqué set foot on the Camp Nou pitch for the last time. He was the starter. As almost always. Because although the present draws a completely different picture, the data says that the Barcelona center-back has only been a substitute 27 times in the 616 games he has played. He was true to his word and after having won 30 titles with Barcelona, ​​he decided that he did not want to end his career sitting on the bench.

For this reason and for others, Piqué, who has seen players like Messi, Suárez or Valdés leave without saying goodbye, set a date and time for his farewell. It would be on November 5, 2022 in the match that Barcelona beat Almería. And his friend Sergio Busquets, one of the few who had known for weeks that the center-back would leave in January, gave him the captain's armband.

Pique looked up. And he got excited. 92,605 spectators, the best entrance of the season, watched him. Several banners were raised: “Piqué, thanks for everything”, “Geri, we had a hell of a time”. “See you soon, we will always remember 2-6”, “Piqué, one of us”... and 'Piquenbauer' responded with applause.

"It was a pleasure," referee González Fuertes told him. The pennant was exchanged with the Almería captain, Robertone. And Barça's 3 went to his post for the last time. The ball began to roll. And in minute three, his number, the animation stands unfurled two more banners: "Thank you Geri, one of ours", they prayed accompanied by two photos of the Barcelona center-back.

Before, many protagonists paraded through the microphones of the media: “We knew that it was going to be produced at the beginning of the week and he chose the way. Before Pilsen, we knew he was leaving," director of football Mateu Alemany told Dazn. There was also Gaby Milito, who acted like a good teammate in 2008. They both knew each other from Zaragoza. “He asked me for number 3 and I gave it to him and I kept number 18”, revealed the Argentine central defender. Thanks to the detail that number, loaned by the friend, has accompanied him throughout his 15-year career at the Camp Nou. "You have to have a special mentality to survive in a club like this," he stressed.

And now? “You will have more time. She will look at us more closely. He will demand more of us”, stressed Eder Sarabia, the coach who trained him during Quique Setién's brief spell on the Blaugrana bench and who now directs his Andorra. Setién did not value Piqué's announcement. The Cantabrian coach still remembers the day that Piqué arrived at the Camp Nou by bicycle. "It's okay, mister," he told him. He played and according to Setién himself, he was the best.

Yes, the Cantabrian's predecessor on the bench spoke: Ernesto Valverde, a coach who always enjoyed the affection of the culé dressing room. “I have good memories of him. He has been a very important player for Barça and also for the national team because of what he has won and what he has meant”, he pointed out. “But the best is yet to come. We are waiting for you to come back to your beloved Barça one day”, predicted Cesc Fàbregas in a heartfelt message on his social networks. The next thing will be to try to preside over FC Barcelona. "I'll be back," he said in his farewell video with his gaze fixed on the Camp Nou box.

Because Piqué crossed barriers and went beyond the border of football. This was expressed by the President of the Generalitat, Pere Aragonès. “From his position, which is not that of an ordinary citizen, he represented certain values ​​and has always been committed to the country. Someone who has his speaker and is a reference is a great help, "he defined. Aragonès did not forget the emotion and the defense of the soccer player of the referendum of 1-O of 2017. “He shared the feeling of many Catalans. He is someone who has meant himself to the club and to Catalonia”.

Piqué, moved, left in the 83rd minute. He said goodbye to his teammates, the coaching staff. De Christensen who replaced him. Of the injured Memphis, Sergi Roberto and Araújo. Xavi, excited, also hugged him. It has not been easy for the coach to fire him. It will not be easy to find a replacement for him. "Piqué, Piqué, Piqué Piquenbauer", the Camp Nou sang to him for the last time. And Piqué sat next to Busquets. "Gerard is spectacular. Everything he leaves behind, his career... has turned Barça into one of the best clubs in history. He feels it like no one else. He is an example. And it's a shame he's leaving, we're going to miss him a lot less", sentenced the midfielder.

After Busquets came Jordi Alba. Visibly excited and with a tearful look. “It has made me very sad. He has done a lot for the club. The absence of him is going to be noticed footballingly and in the human. You have to win titles to dedicate them. He is a very important piece in the locker room. People have realized and are aware of everything he has given to Barcelona", said the man from L'Hospitalet who has a contract until 2024. "I've been a culé all my life. I've had more or less the same career as Gerard I would settle for the farewell Geri has had. I hope to leave as late as possible," he said.

"That of Piqué and Barça is a beautiful story. He has fulfilled all dreams and everything we say falls short. He goes down in history for games and titles, he is an exceptional youth squad" recognized Jordi Cruyff, technical secretary of the club. "Great night for everyone. Especially for Gerard. He has shown personality, he has played a great game. We will miss him. Happy for him and for his family. I have told him that he is a Barça legend. Grateful for everything I have given to the club", sentenced Xavi Hernández. He also knows what it means to walk out the front door. "I have thought a lot about what we have experienced as teammates. We won everything. He seems to me an extraordinary person. He leaves us an impressive leadership. To play without complexes", sentenced the coach.

And the locker of the local locker room that is between where Pedri changes and where Ansu Fati sits was left empty.