In Madrid, people celebrate a victory like the one seen in San Sebastián, but not in Barcelona. That was the sentiment echoed by Piqué, who pointed to the extra pressure such an expectation places on the players. A day after Barcelona suffered a heavy loss in Germany at the hands of Shakhtar Donetsk, an interview with the former Barça defender appeared on RAC1, just before the fourth matchday of the Champions League group stage. In the conversation, he confronted his past teammate and current Barça coach Xavi, who stood by him while Hernandez reflected on the club’s present. Piqué also cast darts toward the capital, suggesting that the last Champions League title won by Real Madrid would not be remembered by many soon.
He explained his view of the white team this way: Real Madrid, he said, comes from a city where fans lean heavily toward Madrid. The capital frame makes it inevitable that Barça will often be on the receiving end of networking wars and rivalries. Yet he emphasized a simple approach: focus on the values and identity of Barcelona, rather than getting drawn into needless feuds.
Piqué went on to critique Madrid’s current form, noting that while their performances may be modest, results matter and longevity across competitions will reveal the truth as the season unfolds. He warned that a title in February across all competitions would cement their status, while another loss would be just another episode in a long-running narrative that might be quickly forgotten if they failed again. He spoke with a certain resignation about the possibility of Madrid’s resurgence, suggesting that the last triumph had felt almost miraculous because Madrid had seemed inferior in multiple rounds.
Turning to Vinicius Junior, Piqué recalled that facing players like Vinicius was always a test of concentration. The challenge, he admitted, kept him on high alert, while acknowledging that life moves through phases and pressures shift with time.
When asked about Barcelona’s current phase, Piqué stressed the importance of patience for any long-term project. He recalled a difficult run with Andorra, where defeats mounted, yet he refused to call for a coaching change. His stance was clear: as long as solutions existed, leadership should remain stable. He stressed that winning matters every day, and that Xavi, a former club insider with deep ties to the locker room, embodies the right person to guide Barça through this period. The emphasis, he said, is on performing well and sustaining belief even when nerves run high and criticism grows. The club’s high expectations are a touchstone of the environment, but once inside the walls, players acclimate to the pressure. While in Madrid a triumph like the one in San Sebastián might be celebrated more readily, Barcelona faced a different reality that demanded a steady, focused approach from its squad.
Piqué did not shy away from his own career plans either, addressing the possibility of someday becoming Barcelona’s president. He called that path extremely challenging and taxing, admitting that he would only pursue it if he could contribute meaningfully to the club’s welfare.
On the Negreira case, he admitted that explaining events during an ongoing trial is difficult. He expressed belief that a full explanation would eventually emerge, but he found it troubling to hear suggestions that Barcelona had won through favorable refereeing. He insisted that the team had been overwhelmingly superior, and that no referee could have altered the outcome had it not deservedly belonged to their advantage.
The interview captured a moment of reflection about Barça’s identity, the expectations from fans and media, and the delicate balance between ambition and patience that defines the club in this era. It showcased a former player who remains closely tied to the club’s culture, while offering a candid assessment of rivals, the present squad, and the political undercurrents that sometimes shape football in Spain.