- Title: SPAIN-SOCCER/BARCELONA I won't quit Spain, says Pique
- Date: 10th September 2015
- Summary: BARCELONA, SPAIN (SEPTEMBER 10, 2015) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** BARCA DEFENDER GERARD PIQUE ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE MEDIA / PIQUE POSING CLOSE UP OF PIQUE POSING PHOTOGRAPHERS PIQUE AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCA DEFENDER GERARD PIQUE, SAYING: "Never. That (leaving the Spanish national team) would be the last thing I would do. That would prove all those who whistle right, and they are whistling because of the wrong reasons. Whether it is one more day, a month, a year or two years, I will keep joining the national team. As long as the coach calls me in I will keep going. I will not fail." JOURNALISTS AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCA DEFENDER GERARD PIQUE, SAYING: "It is very easy. The national team is very united, I want people to understand that. And we need people to support us and come with us. Then we will achieve great things." PHOTOGRAPHERS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCA DEFENDER GERARD PIQUE, SAYING: "I don't regret anything. I would do it all over again. that is the way I am. Last year I was telling you that I wanted a Barca-Real final in the Champions League, but then at home, when I was watching the Real-Juve, I was wearing a Buffon jersey. I was wearing a Buffon jersey during the match. That is the way I am. I always want Real Madrid to lose. It is the traditional rivalry. It has always been like that in Spain. So they are not going to change me. I love this club above all, so don't expect me to change and apologize because I am not going to." PIQUE AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Catalan) BARCA DEFENDER GERARD PIQUE, SAYING: "It is one of the hardest matches away we are going to face this season and we need to have all five senses ready from minute one. It is hard to play at the Calderon . I would love to play, I am dying to play and I hope to play, I still have some options. But first and most important thing is to win the three points." JOURNALISTS PIQUE LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 25th September 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Spain
- Country: Spain
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVABP5LZN7RT942JIUK6IWMYSN4C
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Barca defender Gerard Pique said on Thursday (September 10) that he had no plans to leave the Spanish national team after local media has speculated for days about his commitment to it.
Spanish supporters booed him every time he touched the ball during Spain's Euro2016 qualifier against Slovakia last Saturday (September 5), and the 28 year-old left no doubts about his full engagement to the national team.
"Never. That (leaving the Spanish national team) would be the last thing I would do. That would prove all those who whistle right, and they are whistling because of the wrong reasons. whether it is one more day, a month, a year or two years, I will keep joining the national team. As long as the coach calls me in I will keep going. I will not fail," the player told reporters at a news conference.
It is not the first time Spain fans booed the player. In June, he was booed by fans Leon when Spain beat Costa Rica 2-1 in an international friendly in Leon.
The player says the negative reaction relates to past comments he made about Real Madrid when celebrating Barca's second triple in June, not as criticism to his stance to Catalan independence, which every year rises controversy and many Spain fans disapprove.
Pique said the Spanish national team was very united and insisted his comments were only part of traditional rivalry in Spanish football.
"It is very easy. The national team is very united, I want people to understand that. And we need people to support us and come with us. Then we will achieve great things," he said.
"I don't regret anything. I would do it all over again. That is the way I am. Last year I was telling you that I wanted a Barca-Real final in the Champions League, but then at home, when I was watching the Real-Juve, I was wearing a Buffon jersey. I was wearing a Buffon jersey during the match. That is the way I am. I always want Real Madrid to lose. It is the traditional rivalry. It has always been like that in Spain. So they are not going to change me. I love this club above all, so don't expect me to change and apologize because I am not going to," he added.
Barca face Atletico this weekend after coming back from international duty.
Pique hopes to hit the pitch, but it is yet unclear whether he will be allowed to play or not, as he was banned for four matches by the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) after being sent off for insulting a linesman in the Spanish Super Cup second leg against Athletic Bilbao.
Barca has appealed the ban and a decision on the matter is expected on Friday (September 11).
"It is one of the hardest matches away we are going to face this season and we need to have all five senses ready from minute one. It is hard to play at the Calderon . I would love to play, I am dying to play and I hope to play, I still have some options. But first and most important thing is to win the three points," Pique said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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