Barcelona's Gerard Pique (centre) shows off his skills during an interaction with fans while his team-mates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba look on at Mall of Qatar yesterday. Picture: Baher Amin / The Peninsula
Spanish international Gerard Pique has assured disappointed Barcelona fans they would have a lot to cheer about next season as he has set eyes firmly on clinching the Champions League title.
Pique, who has won three Champions League titles with the Spanish club, yesterday said a fourth European club title for him was due with the Catalan giants who crashed out at the quarter-final stage last season.
Speaking to fans at Mall of Qatar, the 30-year old said: “I know Barca is one of the best teams in the world. I want to win the Champions League title next season for the club. I will work really hard to win the title,” said the midfielder in response to a question.
The Spaniard, part of 2010 World Cup wining team and 2012 European Championship, was taking questions from the organizers of the event during the fans meet at Mall of Qatar.
Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Pique along with his two other Barcelona and Spain team-mates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba interacted with fans during their one-hour stay by signing jerseys of Barcelona and Spain besides putting their autographs on footballs.
Asked as to whether he harbours any ambition of becoming the president of Barcelona, Pique did not rule out the job but said the time is not right for him to make the move to the hot seat.
“We will see in the future when I finish my playing career. There is a still a lot of time for me to do that,” said Pique, who has enrolled at the Harvard Business School, where he is studying toward his MBA specialising in Business, Media, Sports and Entertainment.
Pique's classmates include the actress Katie Holmes and NBA player CJ McCollum.
Considered one of the best centre-backs in the world, Pique brings together character, class and strength in the air at centre of the defence, something that has made him a key figure in the Barça and Spanish team.
The ex-Old Trafford youngster has revealed he will retire from international football with Spain after the 2018 World Cup – freeing up more of his time to study.
Asked as to what he does with the piece of the football net, which he often picks ups as a souvenir after a memorable win.
“I give it as a souvenir for my friends and fans,” said Pique, who has two children with singing celebrity Shakira.
He has since become a permanent feature of Spain defence, playing every minute of the country’s first ever World Cup win in 2010, and also playing a key role in the conquest of the 2012 European Championship.
Pique returned to Barcelona, the club where he started out as a youngster, in the summer of 2008 after three seasons with Manchester United and one on loan with Real Zaragoza.
Busquets and Alba did not speak at the gathering and it was only Pique who spoke to the fans, who were waiting patiently for three hours to come close to their favourite stars and pick some memorabilia on the way.
The organisers also gave away around 30 footballs signed by the stars.
Alba, who accompanied Pique to Qatar, was a member of the Spanish team that won the FIFA 2014 World Cup and 2012 Euro Championship. He has been a regular feature at Barcelona games and is reported to be on the shopping list of Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.
Alba has so far represented Spain in 54 matches besides appearing at one World Cup and two European Championships. A utility player, with great speed, he plays in the left-back position but can also operate as a left winger.
