After 25 years in the professional spotlight, a total of 768 appearances for Spain’s National team, and F.C Barcelona, the Spanish defender, Gerard Pique, has retired from professional soccer at the age of 35.

Pique played his last game at the Camp Nou, in Barcelona on Saturday, Nov. 5. He was subbed off after 84 minutes against Almeria, ending in a 2-0 win for Barcelona.

As the Spaniard said his goodbyes to the Camp Nou on Saturday, Pique expressed his gratitude towards the football world. ESPN shared his speech: “Football has given me everything. You, the fans, have given me everything. And now my childhood dreams have been fulfilled, I want to tell you that I’ve decided that now is the time to bring this journey to its end.”
Pique has made his love and loyalty for Barcelona very clear, and with recent younger talent coming into the defense, Pique has stated, “I will retire at Barca. That is for sure. What I won’t accept is playing as a substitute. If it comes to the last three months of a season and that happens, well… But a whole year on the bench? No, I don’t want that.”

Also, recent controversies with the break up of Shakira has also pushed Pique towards this decision and poor performances by Barcelona these past two years.

Undoubtedly, Pique has become one of soccer’s greatest defenders and left the Camp Nou as an F.C Barcelona legend. Early on, he was a young prospect at F.C Barcelona’s academy, La Masia, but he would soon leave in 2004 to Manchester United before returning to Barcelona’s first team in 2008. Since then, Pique has racked up 37 major trophies which include a World Cup, four UEFA Champions Leagues, six Spanish Super Cups, and much more.

Nonetheless, Gerard Pique’s life and career will always be treasured by Barcelona fans and others alike. However, this isn’t the last of Pique. He has mentioned that he will hopefully return to the club at some point, saying, “Sooner or later I will be back. See you at Camp Nou. Visca Barca, always and forever.”