BARCELONA boss Xavi hailed Gerard Pique ‘gesture of spectacular greatness’ as the legend gave up £44million by retiring mid-contract.
Centre-back Pique, 35, played 615 games in 14 years with Barca but is now mainly on the bench since Xavi told him in the summer he’d only be a bit-part player for the cash-strapped giants.
But rather than see out his deal until 2024, the 102-cap Spaniard has opted to bow out at home to Almeria in LaLiga this Saturday.
Marca calculate the ex-Manchester United youngster has saved Barcelona around £44m in wages as they struggle with debts and Financial Fair Play.
Former team-mate Xavi said: “Pique is a player who still has a contract and who could have continued at the club, so his gesture shows spectacular greatness.
“We had a private conversation at the beginning of the summer.Â
“I had to explain my intentions to him and it was one of the most difficult moments I’ve had to do as a coach.
“We heard about Pique’s decision this week. Surely I have had an important weight in making this decision, but the truth is that I have to make decisions and in many situations someone else played over Pique.
“For me it is not a relief that he is leaving now. It is a personal decision for him, due to the circumstances and due to the conversation we had in the summer.”;
Former midfield genius Xavi, 42, reluctant to elaborate on his awkward pre-season chat with Pique.
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But he said: “I’ve tried to be honest with Pique… the footballer always feels when you don’t play him, the coach is to be blamed.
“That’s why I say that sometimes the job of a coach is unpleasant because you have to make difficult decisions. The conversation we had is private.”;Â
Pique won 30 trophies with his boyhood and hometown club Barca, including three Champions League successes and eight LaLiga crowns.
