"Gerard deserves all the praise from Barcelona fans for the career he has had. He has a contract, he could stay at the club, but he has shown spectacular greatness by stepping aside. He deserves all the praise and recognition. Tomorrow (this Saturday) he deserves the best and that Barcelona fans value him as he is, a club legend," said Xavi at the pre-match press conference before the match against Almeria, in which practically the only topic discussed was Pique.
Responsibility in his decision to retire: "I have been lucky enough to be his team-mate and coach, and adverse circumstances such as playing less and feeling less useful have made him take a step to the side. Before the start of the season I told him of my intentions. It was one of the most difficult days of my coaching career and now also because I hold him in high esteem, but it has happened to all of us. When you are not so useful, you have a hard time. It's difficult to manage that, it's a great thing as a player to say that I've come this far".
-Fair with Pique? I don't know if I've been fair, but I've been sincere and honest. Gerard has been an example for the team, the captains, the young players, the staff. Not a bad face, he has always trained at 100%. I've been honest with him since the summer and circumstances have meant that he has decided to call it a day.
-Why did you stop counting on him? These are decisions that are made for the good of the team and the club, we made important decisions and I looked at what was best for the team and the institution. We thought that other players had to play instead of him. It was hard but that's how it is, it's not easy to be a Barça coach and it's unpleasant to make these kinds of decisions, but I have to look out for the good of the team.
-Pique's virtues: He is brave, competitive, a winner, he has no complexes or fears. He is intelligent, with an intellectual capacity above normal, he is a guy involved in what he does, he has been a good team-mate and captain. Nothing to reproach him for, it's simply a question of football, it's nothing personal.
-Pique, future president of Barca? Gerard can be whatever he wants, for his leadership, personality, for what he transmits. He has plenty of capacity, without a doubt, to be president of Barça.
-Surprised by the decision in the middle of the season? His decision is totally respectable, licit. It is his life, his career. He has been one of the best centre-backs in history. He has earned the right to choose how and when.
-Will Pique's last game be against Almeria? No, we are counting on him for the Osasuna game as well. We'll see if he starts against Almeria, we'll see tomorrow.
