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Why Luis Enrique can’t stop Barcelona star Gerard Pique from ending Spain career

Sport360 staff

00:53 12/08/2018

Spain centre-back Gerard Pique confirmed that not even the appointment of ex-Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique has caused him to change his mind about retiring from Spain duty.

Pique, 31, was a key player when La Roja won World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012. The last of 102 international run-outs came in disappointing fashion when hosts Russia knocked them out on penalties during World Cup 2018’s round of 16.

Former Barca supremo took over in the aftermath, ending a turbulent spell in which Fernando Hierro took temporary charge on the eve of the tournament after Julen Lopetegui was sacked for arranging a switch to Real Madrid.

“I talked to him (Enrique) a week or two ago. I told him that the decision was already made,” Pique said ahead of Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla.

Pique’s former Barca team-mate Andres Iniesta also stepped aside after Spain’s poor run at the World Cup.

“It was a great stage at the Euros and World Cup,” added Pique.

“I’m very happy to have participated in all these successes, but now I want to focus on Barca. I have three years left and the more the better.”

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