Back to the Manchester United Newsfeed

Retiring Gerard Pique 'REFUSED Joan Laporta's Barcelona farewell because he'd already planned to announce it on social media' with the defender's decision to quit to save the cash-strapped club £44m

Related Topics: Joan Laporta, Gerard Piqué

Barcelona legend Gerard Pique refused the offer of a farewell press conference from club president Joan Laporta, according to reports.

The defender, who has made 615 appearances for the Catalan giants, announced his shock retirement from football on Thursday night.

Pique is set to play in Barcelona's LaLiga clash with Almeria at the weekend at the Nou Camp before hanging up his boots.

Gerard Pique refused the offer of a Barcelona farewell from club president Joan Laporta

The Spanish defender, 35, has won 30 trophies while at his boyhood club, while he also spent four years with Manchester United from 2004-2008.