Barcelona legend Gerard Pique's shock retirement: How social media reacted

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has shocked the shot satellite this evening by announcing that helium intends to retire, not astatine the extremity of the existent play but midway done the existent run erstwhile the Spanish league breaks for the World Cup aboriginal this month.

Pique revealed that Barca's upcoming crippled against Almeria this Saturday volition beryllium his past astatine the Camp Nou and that the travel to Osasuna 3 days aboriginal volition beryllium some his last lucifer for the Catalan nine and the last lucifer of his nonrecreational career.

The 35-year-old centre-back has made 615 appearances for Barca during his agelong and distinguished career, having go 1 of the astir decorated footballers successful past during the process. He won 8 LaLiga titles, 7 Copa Del Reys and 3 Champions Leagues on the way.

"I've ever said that determination would not beryllium immoderate different squad aft Barca and that's however it volition be," helium said successful an affectional video connection posted online. "Football has fixed maine everything. Barca has fixed maine everything. You, the culers [fans], person fixed maine everything."

"And present that each of my dreams person travel existent I privation to archer you I person decided that present is the clip to bring this travel to its end."

Pique's announcement seemingly came retired of the bluish -- oregon the blaugrana, to beryllium much circumstantial -- with societal media reacting rapidly to the startling news, though it was Barcelona themselves who were the archetypal to privation him good and explicit their gratitude for his years of faithful service.

A beingness dedicated to Barça. Thank you, Piqué. pic.twitter.com/ps3wI0RSHO

The seasoned defender retired from planetary shot successful 2018 but lone aft winning 102 caps for Spain and hoisting aloft some the Euro 2012 and 2010 World Cup trophies.

Once a champion, ever a champion 🇪🇸🏆#FIFAWorldCup | @3gerardpique pic.twitter.com/gQjf1Oix7L

And who tin hide his beauteous power and decorativeness for Barcelona successful the Champions League?

Some of Pique's contiguous and erstwhile teammates and opponents appeared successful the comments nether his video connection with the likes of Patrick Kluivert, Fabio Cannavaro, Javier Mascherano and Edgar Davids leaving heartfelt comments.

"Always connected my team," wrote Ivan Rakitic, who spent respective years astatine Barca alongside Pique.

Of course, it goes without saying that Carles Puyol, Pique's ever-present antiaircraft spouse astatine the Camp Nou for galore years, besides took the clip to congratulate his aged buddy with a tender connection of his own.

Gràcies per tot, Geri. Estic en shock. S'ha sigut molt injust amb tu, pocs han defensat la samarreta del Barça com tu ho has fet. Sempre podré explicar que vaig jugar al teu costat, un privilegi. T'estimo amic.❤️ pic.twitter.com/MweMaUnaXD

"Thanks for everything, Geri," Puyol wrote connected Twitter.

"I'm successful daze [...] fewer person defended the Barça garment arsenic you have. I volition ever beryllium capable to accidental that I played alongside you -- a privilege. I emotion you, friend."