Gerrard Pique was one of the most splendid defenders of his generation. However, his journey has seen a lot of fluctuations, with thrills and disappointments. And according to the former FC Barcelona star’s recent revelation, he had to compete with Lionel Messi at a very young age. Although a very hefty challenge, the Spaniard claims that this was one of the most cherished experiences.

The FC Barcelona of the 2000s was a brutal force to reckon with. Watching their soccer, with their one-touch passes and the subtle maneuvering, was visually euphoric. And Pique recently revealed one of the main reasons why it came into existence.

Gerard Pique reminisces about his time with Lionel Messi at La Masia

Most of the Barca icons from the late 2000s, like Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Carlos Puyol, and Pique himself, were the products of La Masia. And Pique, who trained there from 1997 to 2004, claims to have taken on Lionel Messi during the training, which he felt was exhilarating. In a recent interview, Pique stated, “We trained every day once versus the others that challenged to compete against Messi against Fabregas to defend them every day in training,” continuing further.

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He also stated, “That was even better and much better for me than playing on Sunday and winning 10 or 12 nil against any team.” Such was the competition at the Catalan youth club. Pique had to defend a player who scored more than 800 club goals in his career. The following challenge led him to become one of the most decorated defenders in club history, winning two Euros, a World Cup, and four UEFA Champions League titles.

Pique also felt grateful to be a part of the most successful La Masia batch with Messi, Fabregas, and a few others. The player-turned-entrepreneur earlier said, “I had the luck to be, I think in the best generation of football players that La Masia has, which is the generation of 1987.” “But in terms of quality, I think it’s the biggest one that La Masia had, we won everything during, I don’t know how many years. “ However, he had to undergo the English soccer test before he came to Barcelona’s senior team.

Premier League’s challenge after La Masia for Gerard Pique

The player was scouted by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2004 and went to Manchester United. However, the player has admitted it to be a tough task adapting to food, language, and soccer. The player was never a regular starter playing just 23 games in his 3 years at Old Trafford.

Gerard Pique Registers Legal Victory Against Shakira Just Before Christmas

Soccer-wise, Pique won a Premier League and Champions League title in 2008 before leaving United.  The star later mentioned that leaving United was the best thing that happened to him. Well, Ultimately, the star won the treble immediately after joining FC Barcelona in the 2008–09 season.

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