Gerard Pique Snubs Barcelona Title Celebrations After Lionel Messi Exit Scuffle

• Ex-Barcelona star Gerard Pique did not attend the team's recent league title celebrations
• Xavi and Joan Laporta had publicly urged the former defender to join them on Monday
• Pique made 10 appearances in this campaign, including featuring in six league matches

Gerard Pique was absent from Barcelona's celebrations on Monday after the club secured their first La Liga title in four years over the weekend.

Despite coach, Xavi and club president, Joan Laporta publicly urging the former defender to join them on Monday, he restricted his reactions to retweeting a post from Barca confirming their title triumph.

The central defender confirmed his retirement from football - a decision that will reportedly save the club £46 million - back in November, according to Marca. He made 10 appearances during this campaign, including featuring in six league matches.

Pique's snub comes amid reports that he had persuaded the Catalan club to part ways with Lionel Messi back in 2021. The Barcelona icon, who then joined Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract after ending his career-long association with the Catalan giants, was reduced to tears in his farewell.

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News of Messi's departure came amid claims he had verbally agreed on a new contract with La Blaugrana.

However, Barcelona were unable to register an extension for the Argentine superstar due to La Liga’s strict Financial Fair Play rules and the club’s precarious monetary situation.

Messi was apparently not informed of the decision until the eleventh hour by Laporta, leaving the player stunned.

Pique's role in Messi's exit

Pique was said to have been a key figure in persuading the club that losing their superstar would not be an entirely bad thing, reportedly stating Barca would be able to recover even without their record appearance holder and club record goal-scorer.

It is believed this is the reason the former defender decided against attending Barcelona's La Liga title celebrations this week, with the team parading through the streets of the city after reclaiming the crown for the first time in around four years.

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Some have claimed Pique is simply to ashamed to show his face, especially considering the rumours linking Messi to a fairy tale return to the Catalan giants next season.

Messi expected to leave PSG

Messi is increasingly expected to leave PSG when his contract expires at the end of the current season, as reported by Mirror Football.

Barcelona remains keen to sign the superstar, who turns 36 in the summer, but that may be difficult due to ongoing financial difficulties.

In April, the club confirmed contact had been made with Messi regarding a potential return to the Camp Nou. There is also an offer on the table for the Argentine superstar from Saudi Arabia - but he would supposedly prefer to stay in European football.

Pique’s retirement announcement followed claims the defender had fallen-out with Xabvi over a lack of playing time and a leak of the player's contract by Spanish media outlet, El Mundo.

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The 35-year-old had 18 months remaining on his contract, which had been due to end in June 2024.

Pique chooses Messi over Ronaldo

Sports Brief had previously reported that Pique chose between Messi and Ronaldo as the debate about football's greatest of all-time continues to rage.

He praised the Portuguese veteran for his unrivalled work ethic but said the Argentine superstar winning the 2022 World Cup had further proven his skill.

Pique played alongside Messi at Barcelona and with Ronaldo at Manchester United, admitting both had done well despite their varied career journeys.