Gerard Pique insists he won’t make the same mistake as Barcelona legend Carles Puyol when it comes to his retirement.

The 31-year-old Pique remains a reliable presence in Ernesto Valverde’s side and is tied to a contract through to 2022, but he is wary of following the lead of former team-mate Puyol by setting an end date for his playing days.

Adored Puyol was made to look foolish when, a year after his announcement, he brought the curtain down on his Blaugrana career.

“I am not going to be like Puyol and say I’m going to be here for another 10 years until I’m 40; the next year he had to retire,” Pique told Barca’s official YouTube channel.

“I’ll enjoy each year as it comes and when it’s time, it’s time.”

An iconic presence at Camp Nou, Pique has just passed the 10-year mark in Catalonia, with a decade of loyal service since returning to his roots from Manchester United.

Carles Puyol played for 15 years at Barcelona, retiring in 2014.

Pique was snapped back up by Barca in 2008, with the La Masia academy product re-signed after proving his worth in England.

Pique is now a World Cup winner whose CV also includes multiple La Liga titles and Champions League crowns.

Reflecting on a decade in the famous Blaugrana colours, Pique added: “You have to make sacrifices here at Barca, especially playing at the back because of the way we play, sometimes you get the blame.

“You know the competition is always there, the best players in the world and you have to fight for your place. It’s 10 years now so each new year is another to enjoy.”

Having starred for Barca on the field down the years, Pique has been billed as someone who might make an impact off the field for the club too in the future, as a potential club president of the future.

For now, he’s just going to enjoy his twilight years.

He added: “Looking back, I could not have hoped to win what I have, to have played so much, to have been important. I have really enjoyed it, just like the others.

“I feel really lucky and am really enjoying being here. There will come a day when I have to raise up my hand and leave but until that day comes, I’ll continue enjoying it as much as I can.”