adminGerard Pique has risked another backlash against him in Spain by taking a swipe at Real Madrid. The Barcelona defender was whistled by fans during an open training session with the national team last week, and was jeered again during the 2-0 win over Slovakia. Spanish football authorities were so concerned at the risk of another outburst against Pique during the international break in November that they have moved the friendly fixture with England from Madrid to Alicante.
Pique has become a target of criticism among a section of Spain supporters for his apparent endorsement of Catalan independence, and his regular outbursts at Real Madrid, whose fanbase form a large swathe of Spain followers. He was also whistled and jeered when he came on as a substitute in the friendly against Costa Rica in June.
Pique called an impromptu press conference yesterday to answer questions around the controversy, but his comments about Real are likely to simply further inflame the situation. He said: “When I play at the Bernabeu, I expect to get whistled, but not for the national team as it impacts on us all and affects the group.
“I’m proud of being a part of this Barça generation that won so much and during which Madrid didn’t win much. “I think they whistle me because of Barça-Madrid rivalry, but I won’t change. I’ll always want things to go bad for Madrid.
“I wore a Buffon shirt during the Champions League semi final [last season] and always want Madrid to lose. That’s the way the Madrid-Barça rivalry is.”
Pique also refused to apologise for his controversial remarks around Colombian singer Kevin Roldan, whose party was attended by Cristiano Ronaldo and several Real players just before the weekend on which Barca sealed last season’s La Liga title.
At Barca’s victory celebrations at the Nou Camp, Pique shouted to the crowd of Barca fans:
“We’re the best team in the world!
“Thanks to all and thanks to Kevin Roldan, it all started with you.”
Today, he said: “I know the Kevin Roldan comment wasn’t elegant but I feel proud of what we’ve won with this club.”— The Telegraph.
Online Reporter