Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has admitted to having fun when he instigates the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Currently on duty with Spain at the international break, Pique will go face to face with Real Madrid on April 2, when Los Blancos visit the Camp Nou for their La Liga encounter.
The former Manchester United man, who has on multiple occasions poked fun at Real Madrid and raised issue with refereeing decisions going in favour of Real, said he understands how important and big the rivalry is and that pride is always at stake when the Catalans play Madrid.
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Speaking to GQ magazine, he said, “The Barca-Madrid rivalry is what has always kept us among the greatest clubs. That is why I like to incite that rivalry every once in a while. I am not trying to provoke just to provoke. I like that it gets a rise out of people and I consider that to also be part of the show. I don't think of myself as more real than other folks. I am very clear about how my personality is and I behave accordingly."
The Spaniard has previously taken to social media to send jibes Real Madrid’s way, particularly when he made fun of Cristiano Ronaldo’s birthday celebrations at Barcelona’s trophy celebration last season. He also found it quite funny that Real were thrown out of the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player, and expressed the same on Twitter.
“Grateful to national team forever”
Pique also went on to say that he will forever be indebted to the Spanish national team for all his experiences with them. He is currently with the La Furia Roja squad as they prepare to face Italy and Romania in friendlies as preparation for the Euro 2016.
He said, "The national team are a family. We are teammates who have been sharing the dressing room for years -- we have shared victories, defeats, doubts, problems, happiness, injuries and dreams. And I am not only talking about players, but also the physios, doctors, coaches, staff. Playing for the national team has given me so much. We have had good experiences and so many memories. I will play with them until I can no longer physically and mentally."
The central defender has been part of the national team since 2009, and has won both the FIFA World Cup and the European Championships with Spain. He is also a proud Catalan and has always been a die-hard Barcelona fan, apart from being a passionate footballer.
