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Agence France-Presse

Among the stalwarts of Barcelona’s near decade of dominance of Spanish football there is no one that stokes the ire of Real Madrid like Gerard Pique.
Pique is Barca’s best defender, leader, possible future president and principal provocateur to the Madrid fans and media.
Yet, ahead of the latest meeting between the Spanish giants on Saturday, Barcelona, who trail Madrid by six points at the top of La Liga, need the positive side of Pique’s game and character more than ever.
“With you it all began” are words the former Manchester United man has become synonymous with in Spain.
His thanks to Colombian musician Kevin Roldan at Barca’s treble celebrations in 2015 for performing at Cristiano Ronaldo’s 30th birthday party that precipitated a Madrid collapse in La Liga sparked a wicked backlash.
Pique was booed for months after even when playing for Spain.
However, the roles may now be reversed. Madrid’s revival under coach Zinedine Zidane in 2016 began when Pique opened the scoring the last time the sides met in April.
Big decisions favour Real, Pique insists
When Pique nodded Barca in front, the Catalans were set to move a mammoth 13 points clear in the title race.
Instead, Real battled back to win 2-1, missed out on the title to Barca by just one point on the final day of the season and haven’t lost in La Liga since.
Whilst the captaincy at the Camp Nou is awarded based on longevity, Pique is undoubtedly the leader of this Barca team now shorn of the likes Carles Puyol and Xavi Hernandez.
“On Saturday we have more to play for than Madrid, they can lose, we can’t,” he said on Monday. “We always need to believe in this team.”
Often chosen to face the media in the most difficult times, Pique also sets the tone on and off the field for a Barca side that has lost some of its identity this season.
The champions had less possession in a match they didn’t win for the first time since 2008 in being thoroughly outplayed by Real Sociedad in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
Magical man Lionel Messi reaches 500-goal mark in Barcelona win, Gareth Bale keeps Real Madrid top
“The performance at Anoeta was a disaster,” said Pique, who was brought through the club’s famed youth academy alongside Lionel Messi before returning to Barca in 2008 after a brief spell in England.
“He expresses himself wonderfully. He has a great ability to communicate,” was Barca boss Luis Enrique’s reaction to Pique’s recent admission that he sees himself as a future Barca president rather than coach.
“I would vote for him,” added Manchester City boss and still Barca member Pep Guardiola.
Pique is far from all talk. Current Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu admitted the club’s €220 million (HK$1.81 billion) shirt sponsorship with Japanese online retailer Rakuten was initiated by a dinner set up by Pique and his world famous Colombian pop star partner Shakira.
However, his outspoken nature has often caused a backlash.
Pique has openly supported a campaign for Catalonia to be given a referendum on independence.
In October he announced his decision to retire from international football after the 2018 World Cup after being falsely accused of cutting the colours of the Spanish flag off his shirt in the latest of series of spurious controversies questioning his commitment to play for Spain.
In a match always charged with political as well as sporting tension, Spanish eyes will be peeled on Pique’s performance as much as Messi and Ronaldo.


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Spanish La Liga

Agent provocateur Gerard Pique leads Barcelona into fresh Clasico battle with Real Madrid flying high

Barcelona’s Gerard Pique has been attempting to rally his teammates ahead of a crucial Clasico encounter with Barcelona this weekend. Photo: AP

FC Barcelona's Gerard Pique, center top, heads the ball during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Malaga at the Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

epa05651956 Real Madrid's French head coach Zinedine Zidane speaks during a press conference at Valdebebas sports city in Madrid, Spain, 29 November 2016. Real Madrid will face Cultural Leonesa in the Spanish King's Cup round of 32 second leg soccer match on 30 November 2016. EPA/BALLESTEROS

Barcelona's defender Gerard Pique celebrates after winning the Spanish League football match against Valladolid at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on May 16, 2010. Barcelona retained the Spanish La Liga title on the final day of the 2009/10 season with a 4-0 win over Valladolid at Camp Nou on Sunday to finish above arch rivals Real Madrid AFP PHOTO / ALEJANDRO GARCIA

Sport

Football

Barcelona captain attempts to rally his Barcelona troops ahead of crucial derby match


Agent provocateur Gerard Pique leads Barcelona into fresh Clasico battle with Real Madrid flying high

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Barcelona captain attempts to rally his Barcelona troops ahead of crucial derby match

Barcelona captain attempts to rally his Barcelona troops ahead of crucial derby match