Barcelona President Joan Laporta Pays Tribute to Gerard Pique After Defender Announces Retirement

• Joan Laporta has hailed Gerard Pique as a Barcelona legend and revealed the Spanish defender will have the club’s badge for life
• Pique confirmed in a video on social media that he will retire from football after Barcelona's La Liga clash against Almeria on Saturday
• Pique has fallen out of favour at Camp Nou this season, making just three La Liga starts, and has decided to call time on his trophy-laden career

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has hailed Gerard Pique, saying it was an honour to have had the defender play for the Catalan giants.

This follows the defender announcing he was retiring.

Pique, who started his career with La Blaugrana, took many fans unaware when he revealed he was quitting football after a successful career spanning over 25 years.

According to Barca Universal, Laporta has now praised the 35-year-old defender, who had 615 appearances for Barcelona.

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“Gerard has achieved everything for the club. He spent 25 years here; he’s been a Culé from a young age. It was an honour to have him play for Barcelona.”

Pique is set to play his final game for Barcelona in the Catalans’ La Liga clash with Almeria at the weekend at Camp Nou, before hanging up his boots.

Pique refused Laporta's farewell offer

Meanwhile, Barcelona legend Gerard Pique refused the offer of a farewell press conference to announce his retirement, from club president Joan Laporta, Daily Mail reports.

Laporta had wanted to hold a joint press conference to share the news of Pique’s retirement, but the defender declined and opted to announce it via social media.

Pique, who won 30 trophies at his boyhood club, personally informed Laporta last week of his decision to retire, claiming it was in the best interests of himself and the club.

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Barcelona's Gerard Pique announces retirement

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Barcelona's Gerard Pique announced his retirement on Thursday after a decorated career, saying the moment had come to end this journey.

The veteran defender bows out with four Champions League titles and the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 with Spain.

Pique takes his leave with Barca knocked out of the Champions League for the second season running.