Barcelona fans were shocked by the announcement of Gerard Piqué’s retirement last Thursday. In the case of the supporters’ clubs, the news caused an impact, and the reactions of gratitude were immediate. Both the Confederació Mundial de Penyes and its territorial federations and all the supporters’ clubs expressed their enormous gratitude to the centre-back, recalling his titles, goals, and most memorable moments. They also emphasized the “I will be back” that Piqué affirms in the video he published.
In the same vein, there were many supporters’ clubs who wanted to say goodbye to the blaugrana #3 in his last match at the Spotify Camp Nou. Hundreds of supporters’ clubs from all over the country came to the stadium to take part in the tribute and to give thanks live for all the big times they had experienced along with Piqué. Even yesterday, despite the unseasonal timetable, there were supporters’ clubs who travelled to El Sadar to accompany Gerard in his last match as an FC Barcelona player.
Involvement and commitment
In addition to his brilliant career and his ability to make all the Barcelona fans enjoy, the supporters’ club movement also wanted to highlight Piqué’s enormous involvement with the Club and its colours. After all, his status as a “culé” by birth means that the supporters’ club members easily identify him as one of them. His excellence and effort on the pitch are highly appreciated values, but so is the firm conviction that the centre-back has always shown when it comes to stand for FC Barcelona.
It is no surprise, then, that Piqué has become a much-loved figure among the supporters’ club community. In fact, there is a club in the Federació Lleida Sud that bears his name: the Penya Barcelonista Gerard Piqué de Sant Guim de Freixenet. The player himself was present at the inauguration of the supporters’ club, which has a special significance for him because it belongs to the hometown of his grandmother and father. On the other hand, the player has shown himself to be very close whenever he has coincided with members of the supporters’ clubs family, for example during the pre-season tours, among other occasions.
