Gerard Pique is about to current the Italian Kings League subsequent Monday in Turin. Forward of this occasion, the previous Barcelona defender is spending his time in Italy, selling his occasion.
As a part of this promotion, Pique just lately spoke to Corriere Dello Sport (h/t SPORT), discussing many issues together with Lionel Messi, Actual Madrid, Pep Guardiola and even Florentino Perez.
Pique on the identification of Barcelona
First up, although, Pique took the time to clarify what Barcelona are and the way it compares to different golf equipment on the earth.
“It’s totally different from all of the golf equipment on the earth. Not solely as a result of its possession is split amongst 140,000 members,” he stated.
“Milan, Inter, Juventus, United, Chelsea, PSG or Bayern solely belong nearly to their followers. The target is to keep up this distinctive situation, though these years we’re not having a very good time financially,” he added.
Pique on Florentino Perez & Kings League
Talking of possession, Pique additionally talked about Actual Madrid president Florentino Perez, whose identify was just lately added to Actual Madrid Sports activities Metropolis.
“He’s very highly effective. He has their battles, his rivals, his Tremendous League remains to be alive,” he stated.
Speaking concerning the creation of the Kings League, Pique admitted a number of concepts do match Florentino’s beliefs.
“In recent times with Barça, I realised that I used to be watching much less and fewer soccer and we considered creating one thing to draw younger folks. I’ve to say that we succeeded. We use soccer, as a result of it’s the most adopted sport, and we apply the foundations of video video games,” he stated.
Pique is at present selling the Kings League (Photograph by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Photographs For Sportel)
“The depth of the matches is our hallmark and the youthful crowd feels concerned. 90 minutes are lengthy and lots of younger folks discover it tough to observe a standard recreation.
“We adapt soccer to one thing shorter, a lot shorter, however very demanding: in two halves of 20 minutes every thing occurs in a short time,” he added.
Pique on Messi, Ronaldo & Guardiola
Pique went on to speak about his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi and his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo.
“It was all the time totally different. Cristiano was the perfect of people, Leo doesn’t belong to this planet. I noticed him prepare daily doing wonderful issues, there could be no different together with his velocity of thought,” Pique stated.
“He arrived on the age of 13 and performed in the identical means each within the academy and with the primary group,” he added.
The Barcelona defensive legend additionally talked about Pep Guardiola, who’s poised to go away Manchester Metropolis on the finish of the season.
“We had unbelievable skills, however probably the most extraordinary factor was the mixture with Pep. We arrived collectively, me as a participant and him as a coach. There have been Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, and Busquets, all made at La Masia,” he stated.
Speaking concerning the connection that the Barcelona group had, Pique added, “We had all the time identified one another and every thing was pure.
As for Pep, he stated, “On a tactical and strategic degree, he’s a genius, he is aware of how you can learn video games, he provides you the required instruments to assault and defend. And within the transmission of the motivational message he’s unattainable, he retains focus excessive for years.”
Pique on returning to soccer
Lastly, with regards to returning to soccer, Pique admitted that he’s not keen on changing into a coach sooner or later.
“Later, maybe, I’ll return to soccer doing one thing totally different. I’m not keen on being a coach, twenty years of routine have saturated me. I wanted to alter,” he stated.
“A few years between United and Barça, taking part in each three days, make you find yourself saturated. I’ve lovely reminiscences, I used to be fortunate and I gained lots and I fulfilled my dream as a toddler, to play at Camp Nou,” he concluded.