Gerard Piqué announces his retirement from the Spanish national team

Gerard Piqué, the Barcelona center-back, announced that he will leave the national team in 2018 at the age of 31, after participating in the World Cup in Russia. This decision comes after being involved in a new controversy over cutting his shirt and many interpreting it as removing the Spanish flag.

"I'm tired of people doubting my commitment. The World Cup in Russia will be my last competition with the national team, and I hope to experience it with great enthusiasm," he stated in the mixed zone of the Loro Borici Stadium.

"I haven't been well received in recent years, even though I give my all and continue to do so. Obviously, there are people who think it's better if I'm not here. I'm very excited about Julen's new project, it will give us a lot, which is why I will continue until the World Cup. We started together, and we will finish together," added the player, who has played 86 matches with the national team.

Piqué made it clear that his decision is not impulsive and that "it was well thought out," but he also mentioned that the recent controversy "is just one more of many."

"I've had this in mind for a while now, and today is just one more, but it's not because of today. It's about the feeling of giving everything on the field and having some people appreciate it while others don't. At 31 years old, I will have accomplished many things after winning everything with the national team. We will try to win the World Cup, and life will continue with Barcelona, where I want to win much more," he added.

Piqué explained the reason why he cut his shirt and even showed it in the mixed zone to demonstrate that he never intended to remove the colors of Spain.

"As I always play in a long-sleeved shirt that doesn't have red or yellow, I cut the sleeves because they were too short and bothered me. This situation is very tiring, but we have to accept it and move forward. Despite everything, today was a great result. We have to keep moving forward," he lamented.

"It has been well thought out, it's not just a result of today's heated moment. I have more time at 31 years old, but decisions have to be made, and sometimes they are not what one desires. After Russia, a chapter will come to an end for me. We have two more years, and we are going to enjoy them immensely," he concluded.