Gerard Pique will not be retiring from international football and says “it is impossible to doubt my commitment” to the Spanish national side.
The Barcelona defender was verbally assaulted at an open training session on Monday evening and his continued participation with La Roja has been called into question.
Pique, a staunch Catalan who voted in Sunday’s referendum, was met with calls of “Pique, a***hole, Spain is your country…. Pique, a***hole, leave the national team,” and signs including ‘Pique fora’ - ‘Pique out’ - during a session that was ended after just 23 minutes by coach Julen Lopetegui.
That came after Pique offered to step down after 91 international caps - winning both the World Cup and European Championships - if the Spanish Football Federation believed his involvement had become problematic.
But ahead of his country’s fixture with Albania on Friday, Pique defended himself, speaking passionately and eloquently about a number of subjects and insisting he remains proud to represent Spain.
"I want to talk, to solve this problem,”said Pique on Wednesday. "Being insulted is not nice but it is a challenge for me, I aim to turn this around. Many people across Spain want talks and dialogue.
"I've been coming here since a 15-year-old and here this is like a family for me. You cannot doubt my commitment to the national side.
“It hurts me that you doubt my commitment. I am proud to be in the national team and be part of this group.
"I've considered retiring as it would be easier for my teammates, but that would be a victory for those whistling. There are many more who oppose their actions than those who carry them out, I am sure of it.
"I don't want to go out of the national team through the back door - the easy route. This team and the federation are my family.
I want to continue for them."
Pique has long been forthright in his views on Catalan independence and spoke about Sunday’s clashes in Catalunya - where more than 750 people were injured during clashes between voters and security forces - after Barcelona's 3-0 win over Las Palmas on Sunday.
He called that match, "my worst experience as a professional".
The 30-year-old had promoted the right of the Catalan people to determined their own future on social media throughout the week in the lead up to the referendum - deemed illegal by the Spanish government.
"I believe Catalans should have the right to vote on their future and respect others think differently. So let's have a conversation.
"People who believe in Catalan independence can play for Spain. You may want your own country, but that is nothing against Spain.
"That is not the case for me, but it would certainly be possible. People don't oppose Spain and recognise it is full of good people.
Everyone can express their opinions on topical subjects, why shouldn't footballers be allowed to do the same?
"I never put myself on any side of the argument.
I said people should be able to vote: to vote yes, no, or spoil their ballot. Fine. What I want to convey is that there are very different opinions. We just have to respect each other.
"Should Catalonia be independent? That's the million dollar question, and I cannot answer.
"I'm not going to answer that because I think footballers are global people. Most of my followers are foreign. My kids are Colombian, Lebanese, Catalan and Spanish.
"Right now my response is that there's a big political problem in Spain but the only way to resolve it is dialogue, otherwise this thing gets worse.
"Spain and Catalonia are like a father, with the son who wants to leave home. Spain has the choice to just say no or to sit down and talk. I don't see what you have to lose by talking.
"This is bigger than me. This is about a part of Spain who wants to leave. This is about millions of people who want to vote.
"My opinion now is irrelevant. What matter is politicians doing their job and solving this by talking.
"Everyone knows I'm open and honest, can open my heart. I don't think that is a problem.
I want people to see that I'm coherent, defend what I believe and respect that others might think differently. I only ask for respect."
The ex-Manchester United man also said there are no problems between he and Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos - his long-time defensive partner with the national side.
Reports in Spain suggested the pair's relationship had '"broken", something Pique refutes.
"A lot of lies and talk has been about me and Ramos but we are very close and get on extremely well."
Source: The Mirror.
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