Gerard Pique Reveals He Almost Quit Football After 2014 World Cup

Barcelona star defender Gerard Pique has denied that OK Diario, the “puppet publication” of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, forced him to set a date on his international retirement and has revealed issues with motivation following the 2014 FIFA World Cup almost made him quit the game.

Pique will walk away from international football after the 2018 World Cup, announcing his decision earlier this month following a controversy over his shirt sleeves; he was incorrectly accused of cutting the Spanish flag off the jersey, per BBC Sport.

The centre-back suggested on Tuesday that the decision was ultimately his alone despite criticism from elsewhere.

“I have read that Twitter, Marca or AS made me leave the Spanish national team or that Florentino [Perez]’s puppet publication OK Diario forced me out, but that is not the case,” he said, per Xavi Hernandez of Marca. “It is a decision that I have taken for when I will be 31-years-old, and I think it is the best option.”

After winning the World Cup in 2010, La Roja were eliminated in the group stages four years later in Brazil, losing 2-0 to Chile and 5-1 to the Netherlands. Speaking about the tournament, Pique revealed the exit sapped him of his desire, per Sport:

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