Gerard Pique has said he will not reverse his decision to retire from international football despite a recent conversation with Spain coach Luis Enrique.
However, the defender says his decision stands.
“I spoke with Luis Enrique a week ago,” Pique said in a news conference on Saturday ahead of the Spanish Super Cup final against Sevilla.
“I told him the decision was made a while ago and that I had put a lot of thought into it. I had a great time playing for Spain but now I want to focus on Barcelona.”
Despite his success, though, he was often jeered by his own supporters while with the national team because of comments about Real Madrid and because he supports a referendum on Catalan independence.
The centre-back’s full attention will now be with Barcelona, where he’s about to embark on his 11th season with the first team after being named one of the club’s four captains for the first time.
Asked if the new role will bring a more responsible Pique, someone who may bite his tongue a bit more, the centre-back said he will not change.
“Age can sometimes make you put the brakes on a bit more,” he responded. “But just because I am captain I will not stop saying what I think.”
Barca’s season begins on Sunday against Sevilla in the Super Cup, a game which will be played in Tangier, Morocco.
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