Rio Ferdinand has joked that his excellent partnership with Nemanja Vidic was the making of Gerard Pique as it forced him to leave Manchester United to play regularly at Barcelona instead.
Ferdinand sent the jibe to his former United teammate in a heartfelt message on Instagram after Pique called time on his illustrious career. The centre-back, who has won everything possible in the game, announced his decision to retire this week amid reports he was pressured to leave Barcelona so the cash-strapped club could be rid of his hefty wages.
Pique played at the Camp Nou for the final time on Saturday and kept a clean sheet as captain in a 2-0 win over Almeria. There were emotional scenes when he was taken off in the 86th minute to a rousing standing ovation and was embraced by all his teammates and manager Xavi.
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Pique will officially retire following Tuesday's trip to Osasuna, though it's not certain that he will play in the game. Following the many tributes paid to him by Barcelona and their supporters on Saturday, Ferdinand weighed in with his own lovely message on Sunday.
"Gerard. My man, what a career!" he wrote. "Many people don’t know but I actually played one of the biggest parts in making you. The fact that myself and Nemanja were playing at Man Utd you never had a chance….so you had to move on to Barcelona!!!
That was my part in catapulting you to greatness!! But seriously, when you went to Barcelona I don’t even think that you could imagine your career would go as crazy as it went - trophies galore with both club and country.
"One thing you had to do when you left was mature, you did this so quickly because your intelligence took over. A mainstay in both teams, that many consider the best teams EVER! I hear debates about the best CB’s of this era and I don’t see your name enough…..without you at Barcelona do they play out from the back as smoothly, would they of had the personality in that area in the big moments to take the ball & to be brave….we will never know but you was there doing that year after year - quietly & effectively.
"Respect my man for a truly great career. PS - President of Barca watching 7yrs….."
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