Gerard Pique

Gerard Pique is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a center-back for the Spain national team. He is best known for his time at FC Barcelona, where he was renowned for his tackling, ability to withstand pressure, and triumphs in his overall career. He is considered to be one of the best defenders of his era.

Early Life

Gerard Pique was born on February 2, 1987, in Barcelona, Spain. At the age of 10, Pique joined the FC Barcelona youth academy, La Masia. There, he quickly established himself as a talented defender and was part of the team that won the 2002 Nike Premier Cup. Pique was later promoted to Barcelona B, the club's reserve team, where he continued to develop his skills.

Club Career

Pique made his professional club debut on 29 March 2006 for Manchester United in a league cup match, coming in place of injured Gary Neville. He spent four years there, only making 23 appearances in all competitions but was able to win the 2007-08 Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

He returned to Barcelona ahead of the 2009-10 season helping the team win the treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League), becoming the first Spanish player to achieve this feat. Pique was a constant part of the starting eleven at Barcelona and came out to become one of the best in the world. Pique was also part of the Barcelona side that won the treble in 2014-15.

He spent 15 seasons at the club, making 616 appearances for the club and scoring 52 goals. He won eight La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and three Champions League titles with Barcelona.

He retired midway through the 2022-23 season on November 3, 2022, following Barcelona’s La Liga game against Almeria. He started the game as captain and was substituted off to a standing ovation in the 84th minute.

International Career

Pique made his debut for the Spanish national team in 2009 and played over 102 games for his country, scoring five goals. He was a key player in the Spanish team that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2012 UEFA European Championship. Pique's performances in those tournaments were outstanding, and he was named in the team of the tournament for both events.

In addition to those two major international titles, Pique also helped Spain reach the quarter-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Pique retired from international football in 2018, citing a desire to focus on his club career with Barcelona.

Records

• Pique is the first Spanish player to win the treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League) in a single season. He achieved this feat with Barcelona in the 2008-09 season.

• Pique is one of the few players to have won the Champions League with two different clubs - Manchester United and Barcelona.

• Pique has scored over 50 goals for Barcelona, making him one of the highest-scoring defenders in the club's history.

• In 2021, Pique became the third player in Barcelona's history to reach 600 appearances for the club, after Xavi and Lionel Messi.

Awards and Achievements

Personal Life

Pique has been involved in several business ventures, including a gaming company and a sports marketing agency. He is also an investor in the Andorra-based investment group Kosmos, which owns the Davis Cup tennis tournament.

Pique is the owner of Spanish second division football club FC Andorra, which he bought in December 2018 through his firm Kosmos Holding. On 21 May 2022, the team was promoted to the Segunda División after beating already relegated UCAM Murcia 1–0 at home, thus ascending to the second tier for the first time in their history.

Pique is known for his philanthropic work and has been involved in several charitable initiatives. In 2016, he launched the "GeriatriXs" program, which aims to improve the quality of life for elderly people in Spain. He has also been involved in initiatives that promote education, health, and social inclusion.

Net Worth

As of 2023, his net worth is estimated to be around $80 million.

Family

His father, Joan Pique, is a businessman, and his mother, Montserrat Bernabeu, is a doctor. Pique has a younger brother named Marc, who is also a footballer and currently plays for Girona FC in Spain.

Partner

Pique was in a relationship with Colombian singer Shakira, whom he has been dating since 2010. The couple has two children together, Milan and Sasha. In June 2022, the couple confirmed in a joint statement that they were separating.

Houses

Gerard Pique owns several properties, including houses in Spain and Andorra. In 2018, he and Shakira purchased a 1,000-square-meter mansion in Barcelona's upscale Pedralbes neighborhood for a reported €5.4 million. The property features a large garden, a swimming pool, and a separate guest house.

Pique has also invested in several real estate projects throughout his career. In 2017, he reportedly purchased an apartment building in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter for €15 million. The building features 10 luxury apartments, and Pique reportedly plans to rent them out to high-end clients.