Gerard Piqué's full interview with El Mundo

Gerard Piqué did an interview with a section of El Mundo newspaper called Papel. The full interview came out today with very interesting questions and answers:

Question:

Is it worth getting involved in so many controversies?

Answer:

I've never really thought on whether its worth it or not. I'm an impulsive person, a person who likes to have fun and who tries to break a bit from the establishment. It seems like we all need to behave in a way defined by society and that we can't cross certain boundaries. Sometimes I like to cross them. I do what I feel at all times and I'm happy behaving that way.

Q:

But you end up creating a negative image to many people

A:

For a long time now there has been just one type of journalist, and the one that has the most backlash, the one that talks about everything but football. Just controversies. There are programs that are leaders in viewers but they don't even show a goal. And people consume it, so you can't really say anything.

Q:

Your tweets and pranks contribute to that everything-but-football noise

A:

It's given too much transcendence. For me it's all a game. Have a good time, have some laughs... But some people take it too personally, to the point of life or death. Sometimes it seems like I'm killing someone when in reality I'm just making jokes.

Q:

Have you thought about stopping and behaving like a standard footballer?

A:

I've spent many years in this and every time I do something I know the repercussions that will occur. For example, from August to December, when we play the least, I like to get involved in all that stuff. Then I stop. I don't have any intention in changing because, simply, I have fun.

Q:

Do you feel different inside a dressing room?

A:

In the dressing room I'm just another player. It's true that outside the pitch I like things that other footballers usually don't like. I have other hobbies and I do them because I'm passionate.

Q:

Do you find these interests common within your teammates or is the stereotype true that footballers just talk about women and cars in the dressing room?

A:

Maybe that's with others, but with us we talk about society, politics and economy. There's everything. With Mascherano I talk about politics, society, business... But there's also the typical footballer who when he hears we're talking about economy, gets up and leaves. But outside of football it's the same. I have friends who are interested in it, and others who aren't.

Q:

Are there few players who are interested in that "outside world" or do they simply avoid talking about the stuff you like to talk about?

A:

There are more and more players with things to say. The image of the footballer that only plays and doesn't care about anything else is wrong. What happens is that people don't want to encounter problems and prefer to be politically correct. I'm fine with that.

Q:

Is the Spanish stereotype of the footballer unjust?

A:

People here have always had the idea of the uncultured footballer, but football has more and more weight in society and it is present in every household. And at the end, It'll end up like in the U.S. where the athlete is respected more. In and outside the pitch.

Q:

What are you referring to?

A:

Inside the pitch: songs, insults, sings... and outside the pitch one only needs to go on twitter. That is what encourages the TV programs I referred to earlier. A few years ago in England they got stricter and started to attack the roots of things like racism, sexism and homophobia. Things need to improve here. Giving small fines don't count for anything, because people pay them and continue with the same habits. Kids of six and seven years can't go to the stadium and hear the things they hear in the stands. You see it from afar and you're left stunned.

Q:

If in the NBA Kobe Bryant says he hates the Celtics, nothing happens. But here when you acknowledged that, as a Barça fan, you're antimadridista, many people were upset

A:

I don't understand why people get bothered. For as much as it is not said, there are many of us who, in order to do well, want things to go badly for the other. Rivalries are like that: things can't go well for both sides. It's logic.

Q:

But nobody else says it...

A:

Because it's not politically correct. In this country, what sells is for someone to say "I hope it goes well for Madrid" or "I hope it goes well for Atleti." Love and peace. All so beautiful. But for me, that's missing content. It's missing flavour. It's a false kindness that is not going anywhere. I don't feel that way, and I'm not gonna say I do. I like to feel passion for a team and since a rivalry with another exists, I want the others to do bad. That's sport.

Q:

But it doesn't surprise you that it bothers people?

A:

Sometimes the unreasonable reactions to comments that I find completely logical, do impact me.

Q:

Really?

A:

I know what's going to happen when I say those type of things, but sometimes I can't even calculate the extent of the reactions. For example, when I said the Kevin Roldán thing, I knew that it would have a potent reaction, but I did not think it would affect the national team.

Q:

Do you think the whistles are because of that and not due to political issues?

A:

Yes, I'm convinced it's a Barça-Madrid topic, and not political. I'm sure. A topic that, out of nowhere, reaches the national team with whistles and creates an environment that is not good for the team. Every time the manager goes out to talk about me... I know him and I see that he's suffering inside. And I don't like that because I have a lot of respect for him. If I knew this would happen, I wouldn't have said it.

Q:

Do the whistles affect you when you play?

A:

No. I said that if the anthem is whistled it is because there is something behind it. A manifestation of people who are against something. And I understand that people can manifest themselves, just like they can to whistle me. Nothing more. People tried to politicize it but never have I defended the whistles against the anthem. I sincerely think it should not occur. In the Super Bowl or in the NBA games, I see how the U.S. anthem is respected and that is how it should be.

Q:

What is your real position in regards to Catalonia's independence?

A:

I'll use my family as an example. I'm Spanish, my wife is half Lebanese and half Colombian, my kids are Catalan, Spanish, Lebanese and Colombian. We're in such a global world that placing oneself in one position or another is wasting one's time. I always quote John Lennon: there are no flags. "Imagine there's no countries." We are all on a planet where we have to share many things. Life is there to enjoy it and not to look for problems where they don't exist.

Q:

Your support for a referendum in Catalonia was interpreted by many as you being a pro-independence individual

A:

Being in favour of a referendum and independence have nothing to do with each other. There are many people who have supported the referendum, in Catalonia and in the rest of Spain, and are against independence. There's nothing wrong with that. The problem is that these things are sold in a way with a certain spin on them by certain channels and many people end up buying it.

Q:

You were the player that Vicente del Bosque used the most in 2015, but your dedication to the national team is in doubt

A:

If I play for Spain it's because I definitely feel like I need to play. First of all, because we have a great team and second because right now I am Spanish. Therefore I feel like I should be there and help my teammates.

Q:

Much of your sporting decisions that have seemed risky have turned out very well. What is your trick ?

A:

When a team is looking to buy a player, there are many players who value at first how much money they're being paid. That is not what's important. What is important is what team you're going to, what position you want to play, if you can be a part of this philosophy, what city you're going to, if you can get used to the environment... Once you've got all of that clear, then you can negotiate the money. Just focusing on the money is as if football is an individual game. No man, you're going to be part of a team. Study that team. There are many people who don't understand that and that is vital in order to succeed.

Q:

Two years ago you were in bad form and you seemed to be without motivation. Did you get bored? Did you have doubts?

A:

I started out young and had the luck to win a lot while I was very young. I didn't value it as much as I do now. I can't be in a place just to be there. I need to do well, I need success. Without success I feel like I am not valuable. In England, the summer of 2014, I said I wanted to go back to be the guy I was before. I set myself to be that. Now I feel like I'm whole and I'm enjoying football more than ever.

Q:

You once said you wanted to retire young and become president of Barça. Have you changed those plans?

A:

Yes, yes, I still have a lot of years left. I'm more focused than ever, I take better care of myself, my family has helped me stabilize myself and I want to enjoy and prolong my career the most I can, in this club, which is my home. Then we'll see. Lasting in this profession is 100% motivation.

Q:

And what motivates you to those heights?

A:

Training doesn't impassion me, what I want is to compete. Competing fascinates me. The harder the match, the more fun I find it. Winning 6-0 or 7-0 with the opponent parking the bus, is not enjoyable. The challenge there is small. I want them to challenge us, to make it difficult and then I can try to solve the problem. It motivates me more when we struggle and we end up winning. Those days I get to the dressing room and think, "damn, today we did things well."

Q:

You've had few matches like that in this Barça

A:

Yes, sometimes I feel like I'd like to try some time a team in which you're attacked a lot. Because I like to feel like I have bigger challenges each time. Although the biggest challenge we have as a generation and club is to keep winning. And that is the most challenging. Each time you win it is harder to win again. It's historically proven.

Q:

When speaking of your rut, you named your family as a stabilizing factor

A:

Yes, Shaki gave me perspective. As a footballer, it was strange to see that the most famous member of the couple was your other half. But we understand each other's jobs and we're both very happy with the success that the other has. Your idol should be your partner and for me, she is. Now we're living very tranquil lives. Obviously we can never go to the mall at peak hours, but we can go to the movies, go shopping... For our kids, the best thing is being a normal couple. Do you know how my kids have impacted me?

Q:

The speed in which they move in order misbehave

A:

That too. But it is incredible how they take the examples of footballers. My son puts his socks on over his knees and only wants long sleeved shirts because his dad plays like that. The other day, he was spitting, and when I lectured him he tells me "it's just that Leo does it as well." And he left me silenced. They always told me I had to be an example to kids, but until you have your own, you never notice.

Q: Look, you've mentioned Messi!

A:

In the end, it's impossible not to. Whenever it looks like there's nothing more, he comes out with something new. What stands out the most about Leo to me in recent times is his solidarity. As if he lacked any of that before. For a person like him, it could have been hard, but the way he's welcomed Luis and Neymar is just incredible.

Q:

We're done. Are you going to make any more trouble before we release the interview?

A:

Nope, I'm just going to win another treble.

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