Gerard Pique: Marca and AS didn't make me leave the Spain team

Gerard Pique spoke about his decision to quit the Spanish national team after World Cup 2018, announcing he didn’t want to talk much about it but would answer one question—over whether it was final or not.

The centre-back explained: “This will be the only question I answer on this topic, as tomorrow’s game has nothing to do with national team. But yes, it is a final decision. 

“I didn’t want to announce my decision after the Albania game, but I wasn’t too happy with the stories which were later proven to be false, so I felt the need to announce it then. I’ve read that Twitter, stories in Marca, AS, or Florentino’s puppets forced me out, but it wasn’t like that. 

“This is a decision I have taken, because I think I deserve to leave how and when I want to, when I’m 31 after the World Cup. If the coach calls me up, I will have played for Spain for 10 years and I think that’s the best option for me, to take a step to the side, to allow future generations to take the space I’ve taken over this time.”

He also doesn’t know if quitting Spain will allow him to stay longer at FC Barcelona. 

“I always set short, mid and long-term goals,” said Pique. “I’ve thought about it thorughly and I will try to extend my time here as much as possible at my club, the club of my life, the club I love. 

“Let’s see my condition as I age, my body and head will set the time when I leave. Motivation is also key, getting up and wanting to be better every day. In the next two years will enjoy as much as possible with the national team, I hope to be at the World Cup, we have a great team, Julen is doing an amazing job and then we will see [with Barcelona].”