Gerard Pique, 36, says no one will remember Real Madrid's last UEFA Champions League title.
"Gerard Pique has said that 'no one will remember Real Madrid's last UEFA Champions League title,'" Spain's Cadena Ser said on Monday (Aug. 8).
Pique, who hung up his boots in November 2022, was an iconic FC Barcelona defender. After joining Barcelona's youth team in 1997, Pique played for Manchester United before returning to Barcelona in 2008, where his defensive prowess helped the club win nine La Liga titles (2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2012-2013, 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2022-2023) and three UEFA Champions League titles (2008-2009, 2010-2011, 2014-2015), for a total of 31 titles.
Speaking to 'RAC1', Pique said: "Real Madrid today is not much different from the past. They are not a team that surprises, but they have always performed and produced results. Come February, they will be alive in all competitions, including the Champions League."
"Barcelona will be remembered forever if they win the Champions League. If Real win it, it will just be another title to add to that." "Real's last Champions League win was a miracle. They were outplayed in every round. No one will remember them winning it."
Pique added: "We (Barcelona) have to win and play good soccer at the same time. That's why when the atmosphere is not good, there is pressure and criticism. The expectations are really high." "In cases like the last round against í† í† Real Sociedad, Barcelona won 1-0. Real would be happy with a win like that, but not Barcelona. It puts extra pressure on the Barcelona players."
Pique defended his 'former teammate' Chavi Hernandez, who has been criticized since last season: "Chavi and I know that Barcelona always have to win. He's from our club, he knows Barcelona, he's loved the team. He is the ideal person to lead this team."
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have won four more titles (2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2021-2022) since the 2014-2015 season, when Barcelona last lifted the Champions League trophy.