Barcelona FC center-back Gerard Pique has spoken favorably well about Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who he said will most likely win this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Pique, 30, recently traveled to Japan for promotional duties with Barcelona.
While in the Asian country, he granted interview to a team of reporters who asked questions about Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Los Blancos captain Sergio Ramos.
Image: Gerard Pique
The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner said Ronaldo deserves the 2017 World Best Footballer Award, making reference to Madrid’s 2016-17 UEFA Champions League and La Liga double.
Lionel Messi, who recently wedded his childhood love Antonella Roccuzzo, had a terrible season with La Blaugranas, having won only the Copa del Rey.
Speaking with a Qatari TV channel, Pique said: ‘Ronaldo is a favorite because he won the La Liga and Champions League.”
He went further with a comparison between the current Ballon d’Or holder Messi and his Portuguese rival, saying the Argentine remains an all-time best even without the coveted crown.
Pique continued: ‘There’s no other player like “Messi. He’s considered the best footballer of all times.’
Responding to questions about his dislike for Spain national team captain Sergio Ramos, he said the long-time rivalry means nothing personal to him. Pique played every minute of Spain’s UEFA Euro 2012 campaign, alongside Ramos in the heart of defence.
‘The rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona is very big, Ramos defends Madrid and I, Barcelona,’ he continued.
‘When we face each other, we try to defend our colors, but when we go with the national team we fight together.’
The former Manchester United player (2004-2008) revealed his decision to quit international football after next year’s World Cup in Russia.
He also bragged about the medals in his cupboard, including a World Cup and the European Championship with Spain.
‘We have made history,’ he said. ‘I will try to win it the World Cup again, but after that I will retire from the Spanish national team.
‘We have a new coach, Julen Lopetegui, he is doing a great job, he is demonstrating his character and we are playing great football.
‘We are confident that he will play a great role in the tournament.’
Image: Gerard Pique
Pique admitted he has eye on becoming part of Barcelona management after retirement.
“Someday I would like to be president of Barcelona, but that is still a long way off. I don’t think about it, just to have a long career as a footballer,” he added.
Part of the weird questions he had to answer in Japan included a few words description of some notable names in football history.
Javier Tebas (LaLiga chief): “A person who makes “difficult decisions.””
Sandro Rosell (in prison): “We will see what happens in the future.”
Puyol: “Great captain.”
Sir Alex Ferguson: “The boss.”
Sergio Ramos: “Incredible.”
Who is the luckiest, Real Madrid or Barcelona: “Normally they are, but other times we are fortunate so I would say both.”
