Gerard Pique, Who Was Spied on by Pep Guardiola, Admits Strictness by Ex-Barcelona Boss Way Before Meeting Shakira

Former soccer star Gerard Pique and his ex-girlfriend Shakira recently announced their separation through a joint statement. Pique and Shakira were in a relationship for more than a decade. The two met during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in which Spain won its first WC. Pique was at the peak of his career at that time. He had already won a European treble with Barcelona and was a World Champion. The couple came into a relationship in 2011 and started spending more time with each other.

However, the then-Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola was obsessed with his players and that led to some drastic actions. He spied on Pique among several other players’ private life.

Gerard Pique and Shakira were among the most followed soccer couples in the world for a decade. But early into their relationship, Pique was reportedly being spied upon by Guardiola. He was not alone. The Premier League coach also targeted Ronaldinho, Deco, and Samuel Eto’o.

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However, Guardiola was strict with his players from the start. The Catalan manager had managed the Barca B team before taking up the top job at Barcelona. Pique has recently revealed an incident when Pep didn’t allow him to go for a night out ahead of the last game of the season.

Gerard Pique reveals Pep Guardiola’s strictness even after winning the treble

Pique recently announced his retirement from soccer. The news came as a shock to many, including Barca fans, as it came mid-season. After his retirement, Pique sat down for a chat with Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos. During their discussion, Pique revealed Guardiola’s strictness in 2009.

“We had just won the treble, there was still a La Liga match left… And Pep told me ‘Do not go out the night before the game!'” Pique told Ibai Llanos.

Pep is a serious manager when it comes to managing a soccer team. This is something that has played an important role in his career as a player as well as a manager. But Pique is Pique. Pique also revealed that despite Pep’s warning, he still went out. Barcelona were to play Deportivo La Coruna, and the defender suffered an injury in the 60th min.

Barcelona went on to draw (1-1) the last La Liga game of the season against La Coruna with Eto’o scoring the late equalizer. It was Pique’s first season with Barca’s senior team, which kick-started with a European treble.

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What do you think of Pep Guardiola’s strictness as a manager? Let us know in the comment section below.