Gerard Pique Gives Up €30million Owed to Him by Barcelona After Announcing Retirement

• Gerard Pique has forfeited the €30 million Barcelona owed him after unexpectedly declaring his retirement from football
• The 35-year-old announced on Thursday he will hang up his boots for good, after the club’s next clash against Almeria on Saturday
• Pique had 18 months remaining on his current Barcelona contract, which was due to expire in June 2024

Gerard Pique will renounce the money he is being owed by Barcelona for the final two years of his deal, after announcing his shock retirement from football.

Pique, who still had 18 months left on his current Barca contract, decided to hang his boots after falling down the pecking order at Camp Nou this season.

According to Sport Bible, Pique has decided to give up the €30million owed to him by the Catalan giants, a decision which should go a long way to helping them free up funds.

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The 35-year-old defender was one of Barcelona’s highest earners and understands the predicament of the La Liga club, seeing his gesture as a means of helping the club get stable financially.

Pique has found game time limited this season under Barcelona manager Xavi, starting just five matches this campaign before his retirement.

Ramos sends message to Pique

Paris Saint-Germain defender Sergio Ramos has sent a happy retirement message to his Barcelona adversary Gerard Pique, whom he played alongside for Spain, Daily Mirror reports.

Despite being former Spain international colleagues, the two were bitter competitors at the club level, with Ramos serving as Real Madrid's long-time captain while Pique excelled for Barcelona.

Ramos and Pique were Spain’s central defenders together for years and they both played a key role in La Roja winning the World Cup in 2010 and the UEFA Euro two years later.

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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 has 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 has mixed playing with a burgeoning business career, founding the sports events company Kosmos which was behind the revamp of tennis' Davis Cup.