Gerard Pique had a ‘super-tense relationship’ with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona claims Shakira

Gerard Pique’s love affair with Barcelona may not have been as harmonious as many would believe after the mother of his two children, Shakira, revealed he ‘suffered a lot’ at the Nou Camp.

Pique is celebrated as one of the LaLiga club’s greatest-ever defenders after he became a serial league, Champions League, and Copa del Rey winner during his time in Catalan.

He announced his retirement in November, beginning the season with the club and making 10 appearances across the Spanish top-flight and Champions League.

Pique and Shakira split just five months previous following an 11-year relationship and the famous singer spoke as she appeared in court for a trial into alleged tax fraud.

Shakira explained that that Pique endured a ‘complicated’ relationship with Barcelona and previous manager Pep Guardiola – now at Manchester City – despite going on to spend 14 glittering years at the club.

Pique (left) apparently shared a ‘super-tense’ relationship with former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola (right)

Pique (left) and Guardiola (right) worked together during a hugely successful spell for the club

‘Gerard [Pique] had a rather complicated relationship with Barça,’ Shakira said, as revealed by El Pais.

‘With Guardiola he had a super-tense relationship, of ‘you go or I go’. It was a situation that made him suffer a lot, ‘ she explains. 

Pique didn’t leave despite the quoted ultimatum laid down to him by Guardiola and went on to maintain his place in Barcelona’s squad for years to come.

The centre-back – like so many of the Spanish side’s stars – was raised in the club’s La Masia academy. However, A lack of first-team opportunities saw him leave to join Manchester United in 2004 at the age of 17.

Guardiola would instead depart Barcelona, leaving in 2012 after securing a record-breaking 14 honours during his management tenure, and eventually going on to join Bayern Munich and Man City.

Shakira continued to explain that Pique considered a return to Old Trafford when Luis Enrique was appointed as first-team coach, replacing Gerardo Martino.

Pique’s ex-partner Shakira (right) revealed Pique shared a ‘complicated’ relationship with Barcelona

Shakira (right) also explained that Pique (left) considered returning to Manchester United

The Colombian singer alleges that Enrique told Pique that he would ‘be sat on the bench a lot’, with the player then considering other options available to him as a result.

Despite a move back to the Red Devils failing to materialise, Pique looks back on his time at the 13-time Premier League champions as being a ‘masters degree in development’.

‘I learned so much during my time at United. Sharing a dressing room with Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ryan Giggs at such a young age was an amazing experience. 

‘I didn’t play as much as I would have liked but it was a masters degree in development both as a player and a person.’