Xavi Advised Under Fire Barcelona Captain Gerard Pique to Quit Catalan Club in the Summer

• Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez told defender Gerard Pique before the start of the season that it was the right time to leave the club
• Pique has faced heavy criticism this season from Barcelona fans and the board, for his poor performances in recent games
• Barcelona are reportedly looking for ways to get Pique off the books at the earliest possible, as the club wants his huge wage bill gone

Gerard Pique is arguably facing his worst spell as a Barcelona player since returning to the Catalan club from Manchester United over 15 years ago.

The 35-year-old has been rendered as Barcelona’s 5th choice central defender following the arrivals of Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia, who are ranked above him.

According to Barca Universal, Barcelona manager Xavi had advised Pique to quit the La Liga giants in the summer, saying it was the right time to leave and preserve his legacy.

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The veteran defender has come under fire recently from Barcelona fans after a lacklustre display against Inter Milan in the Champions League, which leaves the club at dire risk of a group-stage elimination.

The Barcelona board are also pursuing ways to get rid of the 35-year-old, as they seek to get rid of his huge wage bill after a turbulent financial crisis.

Shakira swipes at ex-partner Pique

Meanwhile, Colombian singer Shakira has taken a jab at Barcelona defender and former partner Gerard Pique in her new song Monotonía, Marca reports.

The singer, who separated from the Barcelona defender earlier this year, accused Pique of being unfaithful while supposedly calling him two-faced in the lyrics of the song.

Shakira confirmed her separation from Piqué in June. The couple were in a relationship for 12 years and have two children together: Milan - nine and Sasha - seven.

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Gerard Pique clashes with Xavi

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Gerard Pique is at loggerheads with manager Xavi over his inability to get game time this season, after being sidelined for most of the Catalans' matches.

The 35-year-old defender was visibly upset, after he was an unused substitute in Barcelona’s 2-0 loss against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.

According to reports, Pique was complaining over his lack of playing time in the dressing room when Xavi overhead the defender, cautioning him that he will get less game time after that.