High tension with Pique

CAIRO – 03 October 2017:Gerard Pique, Spain`s defender, is living tough days with his national team Spain, before the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, because of his opinions on Catalonia`s crisis; he was the protagonist of Tuesday’s training.

A climate of undisguised tension is pervading Spain`s camp due to the political situation in Catalonia. The Spanish press echoed on Tuesday Piqué’s crisis in the Spanish national team.

Whether in press conferences, interviews, acts or social networks, Piqué has not bitten his tongue. He has expressed his opinions without nuances. Although, he has always done it individually, his interventions have sometimes been analyzed like that of a spokesman for Barcelona’s fans.

The last episode played by Piqué in this sense took place last Sunday, just after FC Barcelona - Las Palmas (3-0) played behind closed doors. Pique criticized, in tears, what happened in Catalonia and, especially, the images of violence and repression.

"I am and I feel Catalan. Today I am more proud of the people of Catalonia; despite the violence they have been more peaceful than ever. We’re not a minority, we were millions of people. We are not bad people, we just want to vote. The whole world has seen what has happened today. It’s been one of the worst decisions this country has made in 40 years [to send in the Spanish police]," Pique said to the press.

It is an unsustainable situation for the fans that showed their anger against Pique. Most of them see that Pique should not play for the Spanish team. Roberto Gomez, a popular Spanish journalist said, "It is a problem, for the sake of the Spanish team, and above all, Julen Lopetegui, Spain’s head coach, should release him."

Meanwhile, two of the first players joined the Spanish team, Jonathan Viera, Las Palmas’ midfielder, and Chelsea’s player Pedro Rodriguez. Pedro has referred to the presence of Piqué in the selection defending Barcelona`s defender and underscoring their commitment to the national team.

"Piqué's commitment is impeccable, he has always responded," recalled Pedro, Chelsea’s former Barcelona player. "Everyone is free to defend, whatever he wants, nothing more, we are talking about a very important player for the national team and for Barca," he added.