One of the greatest centre backs in the world, Piqué was some character, and also a guarantee of security at the back and great with the ball at his feet. It's not for nothing that was called Piquenbauer. And he was also brilliant in the air, his height proving very useful when he joined the attack.
He was the grandson of Amador Bernabeu, a former director and vice-president of the club, and was a Barça member from the day he was born. He played socially at the club from a small age and was just ten when he became part of its youth structure and from there rose up through ranks until the 2003/04 season, when he left for Manchester United. In 2006/07, he played on loan from England to Real Zaragoza, and then helped the Red Devils to the Premiership and Champions League double in 2007/08.
Piqué then returned to his home club and made his debut on 13 August 2008 in a Champions League qualifier against Wisla Krakow. In that treble winning season he was quickly established as one of the best defenders in the world.
But he has always had an attack-minded attitude, and ended up the second highest scoring defender in club history after Ronald Koeman. Perhaps his most famous goal was the one in the 6-2 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu in 2009.
Playing a total of 669 games for the club, which left him fifth on the all time list of appearances at the time of his retirement, he won a wealth of titles, famously saying on the day of his retirement on 3 November 2022 that "that little boy's dreams came true."
Career
- Seasons at Barça: 2008-2022
- Appearances: 669
- Goals: 56
Honours
- 3 Club World Cups (2009/10, 2011/12 & 2015/16)
- 3 Champions League (2008/09, 2010/11 & 2014/15)
- 3 European Super Cups (2009/10, 2011/12 & 2015/16)
- 8 Ligas (2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2017/18 & 2018/19)
- 7 Copas del Rey (2008/09, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 & 2020/21)
- 6 Spanish Super Cups (2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2016/17 & 2018/19)
- 2 Copa Catalunyas (2012/13 & 2013/14)
- 2 Catalan Super Cups (2014/15 & 2017/18)
