Gerard Pique Makes Scary Prediction About Barcelona and Real Madrid's Future in Europe

• Gerard Pique believes Barcelona and Real Madrid won't be able to compete in Europe in coming years
• The former Barcelona defender stated other European clubs' spending power is a threat to both clubs
• The Catalan giants have struggled financially over the last few years, as have other outfits in La Liga

Former Barcelona defender, Gerard Pique has made a gloomy prediction about the future of Real Madrid and his former club in Europe.

Barcelona have been struggling financially in the last few years, and reports indicate their situation is still dire despite winning La Liga last season.

Pique was recently asked about regulations in European football at the Business Sport Forum of Expansión. He noted that the strict rules put in place by La Liga could threaten the participation of Barcelona and Real Madrid in Europe.

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"In Europe, it’s all in the hands of the players. Barça and Madrid are not going to be able to compete in the long run, this is obvious," he said via Madrid Universal.

Since 2013, Spanish clubs have won six UEFA Champions League trophies, while English clubs won three times.

Pique believes the American model has a better structure, explaining that La Liga's stricter rules meant other clubs could pay more for a player.

"We are on the path where in five years, Barça and Madrid won’t be able to compete in Europe."

English clubs have spent billions in the last few windows to sign the best talents in world football.

How other European leagues spent

For instance, Premier League clubs had a gross spend of €2.74 million in the summer transfer window, per Reuters.

According to Deloitte, the English league accounted for 48% of total spending across the top five European leagues, with Ligue 1 spending €900mil, followed by Serie A (€850mil), Bundesliga (€745mil), and La Liga (€440mil).

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From those figures, the Spanish league is lagging behind, especially when compared to the Premier League. Real Madrid are the only club that can compete with the EPL, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and maybe the Saudi Pro League for top players.

Barcelona spent just €3.40mil in transfer fees to sign Oriol Romeu.

Real Madrid made a splash by signing Jude Bellingham for €103mil and Arda Guler for €20mil. Those two were their biggest signings, per Transfermarkt.

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Casillas trolls former rival Pique

Sports Brief previously reported on Iker Casillas trolling Pique by requesting Waka Waka at the King's League, a seven-a-side tournament organised by the former Barcelona star.

Fans were captured chanting "Shakira Shakira" at one of the games - referencing Pique's ex - and Casillas played along by asking for the song to be played to spite his old-time rival.