“…That the A**hole”- Days After Announcing Retirement, Gerard Pique Faced Harsh Criticism Amidst His Public Feud with Shakira

In November of last year, Gerard Pique made an announcement that shook the soccer world. After 18 years of making surgically precise tackles, Pique finally decided to hang up his boots. Despite a time of mixed emotion for soccer fans, the Spanish soccer star found himself to be at the receiving end of harsh criticism. Both his retirement from soccer and his public feud with long-time partner Shakira attracted media and public scrutiny.

It all started back in June when Pique and Shakira announced their shocking split after 11 years of being together. The 10 months that followed amplified their separation drama with multiple controversies surrounding them. This created the perfect environment for people to put Pique under the microscope and criticize him during this stressful transition.

Further criticism came his way from Argentinian journalist Alejandro Fantino, who seemed to hold no compassion or sympathy for Pique amid his retirement.

Gerard Pique slammed amidst his feud with Shakira

Alejandro Fantino has been one of the most vocal voices when it came to Pique’s criticism. Just a few days after the 36-year-old’s retirement announcement, Fantino took to a podcast program to directly address the decision. “What does it matter to me that the a**hole Pique has retired? The whole country is talking about him. The most important thing he did was go out with Shakira,” the journalist said.

This was certainly a harsh remark made towards Pique, which was then followed by Fantino saying, “Enough talking about Pique! It is more important when ‘Indio’ Arévalo retired (…) Chacarita’s 4 matters more to me than Piqué”.

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It seems that such comments and critical speeches emerged from the numerous updates that surrounded this central event of their breakup. As far as the public’s opinion was concerned, it seemed that Pique’s split with Shakira took center stage in comparison to the legacy he had left behind with his expertise in soccer.

Gerard Pique has made huge strides in his sporting career. But regrettably, his retirement came with a negative spin with respect to his private affairs. What are your thoughts on these criticisms of Pique? Let us know in the comments.

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