Gerard Pique to earn €80m at Barcelona in next two seasons

FT Desk

Updated: 13 Jun 2022 19:06 BST
3 min read

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is determined to see out the rest of his lucrative contract at Camp Nou, according to reports in Spain.

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CCMA claims that Pique is already aware of Barca coach Xavi's wish to shore up the Catalans' defence ahead of the coming season.

That plan includes a new contract extension for Ronald Araujo, one of the club's most impressive players over the course of 2021/22, as well as a fresh face in the middle of the backline.

At 35 years old Pique's time at the top is running out. But he still has two years left on his contract, and has every intention of seeing those out with Barca, which has been his home since moving back from Manchester United in 2008.

The €80 million figure that Barca may be forced to pay him over the next two years likely relates to his wages plus deferred payments from the Covid crisis - hardly music to the cash-strapped club's ears.

The centre-back is, nevertheless, committed to making the most of the time he has left.

In recent talks with Xavi, he has asked that his former team-mate pay no heed to the personal troubles he is currently going through related to his relationship with Colombian pop sensation Shakira and let him show his worth on the pitch.

Indeed, while the rest of the Barcelona squad remain on holiday following the 2021/22 campaign Pique is still a regular visitor to club HQ, where he continues to receive treatment on an adductor injury.

But while Xavi made it clear that he is not unhappy with Pique's performances, his age and recent injury woes mean that he cannot count on the veteran as an undisputed first-teamer.

Pique on his Barcelona future

The defender made it clear during the opening segment of the documentary dedicated to him this year, 'A Life in Blaugrana', that he would love to stay at Camp Nou.

"This journey has been like a dream for me, I hope to keep it going as long as I have strength to go on," he affirmed.

"To keep playing and keep helping the club. Let's hope this journey does not end, that it continues a while longer. I am so proud."

Pique has played more than 600 games for Barcelona since moving back from Man Utd, lifting eight Liga titles and three Champions Leagues in that time to establish himself as one of the most successful players in club history.