Pique reveals outrageous request Sergio Ramos and Julen Lopetegui made of him

Former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has never been afraid to speak his mind, but it hasn't always gone down well with those around him. Not least ex-Spain teammate Sergio Ramos and former Spain manager Julen Lopetegui.

During the 2017-2018 season, Barcelona played in front of an empty stadium at Camp Nou on October 1, due to the disturbances caused by the police during the Catalan government's illegal referendum in 2017. Barcelona were left with a decision whether or not to games, while police beat peaceful voters in the streets and hospitalized pensioners.

Barcelona was criticized for not playing at all that day, with some players specifically expressing their disagreement with the decision, as friends and family undoubtedly saw police taking violent action against those on the streets. Pique has revealed that Spain captain Ramos and coach Lopetegui took him aside during the Spanish camp that week and asked him to publicly ask for forgiveness.

“Gerard, you have positioned yourself very much in favor of Catalonia,” they supposedly said. Pique said his response was, “man, I think I've positioned myself for the right to vote, and I'm not going to make any public statement asking for forgiveness.” Lopetegui then handed him a paper with a statement saying he had to attend a press conference the next day and read it.

“Look, if you want me to hold a press conference, but I'll do it my way, and I'll say what I think. And I will not apologize, I can warn you about that,” Pique responded. He threw the statement in the trash after reading it in his room, saying his time with the national team was damned from then on and he was constantly whistled for.

Pique retired in Spain after the 2018 World Cup the following year, following La Roja's collapse in Russia and then under Fernando Hierro. Pique was only 31 at the time, relatively early to retire from international duty. In any case, he has never publicly announced his political preferences, but he has loudly advocated for a democratic process.