Gerard Piqué, founder of the innovative seven-a-side Kings League, recently revealed his dream team, sparking discussion due to notable omissions. The former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/barcelona">Barcelona</a> defender, known for his involvement with some of the world’s best players. 



Including Ronaldinho and Sergio Agüero in the Kings League itself, selected a lineup based on his personal experiences and playing styles suited to the unique seven-a-side format.



Piqué opted for a 3-2-1 formation, selecting Iker Casillas in goal, a defensive line of himself, Carlos Puyol, and Rio Ferdinand, a midfield pairing of Andrés Iniesta and Cesc Fàbregas, and Lionel Messi as the lone striker. 



His choice of players is clearly influenced by personal relationships and experiences. He highlighted the mentorship provided by Puyol and Ferdinand in the early stages of his career, citing the impact of both on his personal development and their overall impact in the game. His choice of Fabregas and Iniesta centers on their close friendships and impressive Premier League and international careers respectively.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20241119_WST_540460_Cristiano-Ronaldo-1200x675_46604dce.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-540464" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Cristiano-Ronaldo-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Cristiano-Ronaldo-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Cristiano-Ronaldo-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Cristiano-Ronaldo-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Cristiano-Ronaldo-740x416.jpg 740w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Cristiano-Ronaldo-490x275.jpg 490w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Cristiano-Ronaldo-250x140.jpg 250w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/Cristiano-Ronaldo.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<h2>The notable absence: Cristiano Ronaldo</h2>



Significantly, Cristiano Ronaldo was excluded, despite the inclusion of two Premier League players. Piqué explained that choosing between Messi and Ronaldo was necessary and his allegiance to his Barcelona teammate was decisive. The 13 years spent alongside Messi at Barcelona, resulting in numerous titles, clearly shaped his decision. 


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="WST#/news/lewandowski-seeks-to-extend-his-barcelona-contract-until-2027-what-does-the-club-want/"></div>


The decision, however, exemplifies the subjective nature of selecting an “ideal” team and has ignited further debate among football fans. The team represents not just technical skill, but also a personal perspective rooted in Piqué’s career.

Piqué assembles dream team: Includes Barcelona legends and excludes Cristiano Ronaldo

Piqué assembles dream team: Includes Barcelona legends and excludes Cristiano Ronaldo - World Soccer Talk

destacadas

In a bold move that could reshape the future of football, Gerard Pique, the legendary Barcelona and Spain defender, has called for a significant overhaul of the sport’s traditional format in search of exciting action.



With a career decorated by immense success, including nine <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/">La Liga</a> titles, four <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> trophies, and a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">World Cup</a> triumph in 2010, Pique is now turning his attention to the sport’s future. His primary suggestion? Eliminate the possibility of draws to make the game more appealing to the younger generation.



Since retiring in November 2022, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/how-arsenal-tried-to-recruit-messi-fabregas-and-gerard-pique/">Pique</a> has remained deeply involved in soccer, leading innovative projects like the Kings League. This seven-a-side tournament features 20-minute halves, no draws, and unlimited substitutions. Games are streamed on platforms like TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube; aiming to engage audiences accustomed to fast-paced, short-form content. Pique’s experiences with the Kings League have significantly shaped his views on how traditional soccer must evolve.



<h2>Need for change</h2>



In an interview with <a href="https://x.com/tether_bet/status/1811703036265353241" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Times</a>, Pique articulated his concerns about soccer’s current format and its ability to captivate younger fans. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240713_WST_516325_imago1026607161h-1200x800_7f87fc61.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" alt="" class="wp-image-516369" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/imago1026607161h-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/imago1026607161h-300x200.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/imago1026607161h-768x512.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/imago1026607161h-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/imago1026607161h-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Pique has championed the Kings League, a seven-a-side tournament held at the Camp Nou, as an alternative for young viewers</figcaption></figure>



“One reason we created the Kings League is I saw my kids watching a football match and after ten minutes they were on their phones and their tablets and watching other things at the same time”, he explained. 



“Football is entertainment, so it is not just competing with other sports. It competes with Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, TikTok. Everyone has limited time. Football for 90 minutes is not as exciting.”



According to the ex-Spain international, if the sport wants to keep its popularity then it has to change its format. 



Furthermore, he suggested that eliminating draws could be one way to achieve this.



“You need to find ways to score more goals or that you cannot end a game as a draw. Maybe there are no draws, why not? In baseball and basketball there are no draws. You go to a game and it ends with a draw and the feeling is, ‘Who won?’”



<h2>Drawing from American Sports</h2>



The 37-year-old’s comparison to American sports, where draws are virtually nonexistent, underscores his point. Sports like basketball and baseball always conclude with a clear winner, a feature that Pique believes could enhance the entertainment value of soccer. “Football is afraid of change. It has a huge history, it is very traditional, but change will happen, it has to happen. A 90-minute game that can finish 0-0 is difficult to understand for the new generation,” he stated.



However, the ex-defender acknowledges the challenges inherent in implementing such radical changes. Extending matches with overtime to ensure a decisive outcome could exacerbate concerns about player fatigue and fixture congestion. Many teams and managers already voice concerns over the intense schedules players endure, and adding more time to games could be seen as an additional burden.



Despite these potential obstacles, he remains steadfast in his belief that soccer must adapt. He recognizes that traditional governing bodies like FIFA and UEFA may not be the ideal platforms for rapid change. “Very boring. You cannot change a lot. With the processes, the committees, it’s a nightmare,” he said, reflecting on the bureaucratic hurdles that often impede swift reforms in the sport.



Photo credits: IMAGO / NurPhoto : IMAGO / CordonPress.

'Football not as exciting': Ex-Barca star Pique shocks admission

Gerard Pique doesn't feel football is as exciting as it once was, and is determined to change that with an overhaul

The legendary Gerard Pique was driven to continue playing in his later years only by his devotion to Barcelona. Suddenly retiring in November of last season, the 37-year-old contributed significantly to the club’s financial situation. He passed on a large portion of his remaining contract salary.



After leaving the academy as a youngster to play for Manchester United, the center defender spent 15 years with the Barcelona first team. Following a four-year stint with the Red Devils, he made his comeback in 2008. During that time, he spent one season on loan with Real Zaragoza,



He learned the ropes from Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. However, the veteran brought home one Premier League and one Champions League trophy during his brief but unimpressive stint.



But it seems like the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">World Cup</a> winner’s career almost took a very other turn. One in which, instead of playing for them, he would have faced off against the Red Devils.



<h2>Pique on failed Arsenal move</h2>



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a>, both from the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a>, showed interest in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/worse-fate-than-rubiales-pique-probed-for-alleged-corruption/">Pique</a> before he signed his first professional contract. Even though they had previously acquired Cesc Fabregas, the Gunners attempted to capture Pique from the Spanish club. United, however, came in to derail the plan.



“The first one was Cesc [Fabregas] the summer before I left to go to Manchester United,” he told <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0hvd7sn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BBC Five Live</a>. “Then Arsene [Wenger] came to sign me. At that time Arsenal didn’t want to get into a big fight with Barcelona because they already took Cesc.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240503_WST_504950_Pique-Messi-Barcelona-1200x670_c9c0f975.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-505001" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Pique-Messi-Barcelona-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Pique-Messi-Barcelona-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Pique-Messi-Barcelona-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Pique-Messi-Barcelona.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



“So, they were trying to arrive to a deal with Barcelona and it took more time than we wanted to so Manchester United arrived and said, ‘Listen, we want you, let’s make a decision right now,’ and I decided to go there.”



“And it’s true that later on I think Arsene also tried to sign Messi – but he didn’t have a chance. So, then the good part of that is all of us went back to Barcelona, we played together again for the first team of Barcelona.”



<h2>Pique on how Barcelona saved his career</h2>



Piqué accomplished tremendous things on the field, both on a global and a national scale during his stellar playing career. He was a rock for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a>‘s defense during their golden age. The defender formed an unbeatable tandem with Carles Puyol and, subsequently, Javier Mascherano.



He was one of the greatest defenders of his time, cemented by his several La Liga, Champions League, and domestic cup victories with the Blaugrana. The question of whether he ever had the opportunity to join Manchester City or Manchester United was posed to him upon his return to Catalonia.



“No, no, not really. There was a moment in my career when I was like 30, where I don’t think I would’ve played for any other team if it wasn’t Barcelona. Because I was not tired, but the career was already long, and for me Barcelona was everything.



“If not, playing for another club, the last four or five years I played because it was Barcelona, I’m not sure I would have found the motivation to keep going. I would have retired,” he added.



PHOTOS: IMAGO

How Arsenal tried to recruit Messi, Fabregas, and Gerard Pique

The legendary Gerard Pique was driven to continue playing in his latter years only by his devotion to Barcelona, not Arsenal.

Spanish authorities are now investigating foreign bank accounts linked with both Gerard Pique and Luis Rubiales. Pique previously starred in central defense for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> between 2008 and 2022. Rubiales was formally the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and one of UEFA’s vice presidents. However, the official was forced to step down following the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/spain-fa-president-luis-rubiales-resigns-following-hermoso-kiss-20230911-WST-455305.html">kissing scandal</a> involving Jenni Hermoso.



It was <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/worse-fate-than-rubiales-pique-probed-for-alleged-corruption/">revealed</a> earlier in the week that Spanish prosecutors were looking into Pique and Rubiales on potential corruption charges. These alleged offenses pertain to the relocation of the Spanish Super Cup. The annual competition is currently contested by four of the top teams in Spain. This includes the winners and runners-up of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/">LaLiga</a> and the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-del-rey-tv-schedule/">Copa del Rey</a>. While the tournament is historically held in Spain, it was moved to Saudi Arabia in 2020.



In the recent investigation, officials searched various buildings for evidence in the case. This inquiry then led to the arrest of seven people. One of those to be detained was Rubiales. The former RFEF leader was apprehended soon after arriving in Spain from the Dominican Republic.



<h2>Judge orders investigation on bank accounts linked with potential corruption</h2>



Following the search, it was then revealed on Friday that bank accounts and records were being examined. According to the <a href="https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-juez-supercopa-sigue-rastro-dinero-15-bancos-96-cuentas-pique-36-rubiales-20240405120311.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa Press</a>, a company linked with Rubiales transferred over $600,000 to the Dominican Republic. This is particularly interesting considering the former soccer executive was arrested after flying back from the Caribbean country.



A judge in charge of the ongoing investigation, Delia Rodrigo, ordered the examination of 132 different bank accounts. Of these accounts, 96 of them are reportedly in the name of Pique. Rubiales owns the remaining 36 accounts. In all, these various open accounts are with 15 different banks.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240405_WST_499557_Rubiales-Pique-1200x670_9d5dc8ac.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-499651" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Rubiales-Pique-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Rubiales-Pique-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Rubiales-Pique-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Rubiales-Pique.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Rodrigo called on a full transcript of these bank accounts beginning before the official agreement to move the Spanish Super Cup to the Middle East. “All movements recorded in these accounts – balance, income, and payments – since January 1st, 2018 until receipt of this order or until its closing date,” <a href="https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-juez-supercopa-sigue-rastro-dinero-15-bancos-96-cuentas-pique-36-rubiales-20240405120311.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> the judge.



News broke that, in 2019, Saudi Arabia was paying RFEF to host the Spanish Super Cup. The original deal reportedly cost the Saudi government over $40 million annually in a three-year agreement.



<h2>Additional former RFEF officials are also under the microscope</h2>



The news source’s report says that a company “whose primary partner is Rubiales” sent two separate payments to a Dominican outfit Francisco Javier Martin Alcaide runs. Alcaide, better known as Nene, is a close friend of Rubiales. These two transfers happened in late 2023 and totaled the previously mentioned $600,000.



The court requested additional financial information regarding Pique and his companies. Spanish authorities are reportedly sifting through a series of the former star’s bank documents between 2018 to 2022. Pique owns nearly 30 total companies.



Pique and Rubiales, however, are not the only Spanish soccer officials under investigation. Authorities are also monitoring several other former RFEF officials, including Tomas Gonzalez Cueto. Cueto was previously the organization’s commissioner of external control.



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Police examining 130 bank accounts linked to Pique, Rubiales

Spanish authorities are investigating foreign bank accounts linked with Gerard Pique and Luis Rubiales regarding potential corruption.

An inquiry into alleged corruption led to the Wednesday arrest of Luis Rubiales, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) ex-head. And apparently, he may take former Barcelona defender <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/former-barcelona-star-credits-messi-as-us-soccers-savior-20240225-WST-491615.html">Gerard Pique</a> down with him.



According to Spain’s state prosecutors, police searched eleven locations for evidence. The investigation into corruption and money laundering led to the arrest of seven people, including <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/fifa-bans-disgraced-spain-fa-luis-rubiales-for-three-years-20231030-WST-465839.html">Rubiales</a>.



Upon his arrival in Madrid from the Dominican Republic, authorities apprehended Rubiales. He was thus subjected to a short interrogation by the authorities. In 2019, the RFEF and the Saudi sports authorities reached a lucrative three-year agreement to host the tournament in Saudi Arabia. He is now facing questions as part of a corruption inquiry into this arrangement.



Although he disputes the charges, prosecutors are asking for a sentence of 2.5 years in prison. Previous inquiries over the veracity of Rubiales’s revenues have led him to state: “I don’t know what the judge has said or what Civil Guard has investigated. The money in my bank account is the result of my work and my savings.”



Spanish FA contracts for La Cartuja stadium refurbishment in Seville are also part of the corruption and money laundering probe. It plays home to many international events and will also serve as the venue for Saturday’s Copa del Rey final.



<h2>What did Gerard Pique allegedly do?</h2>



Now it seems that Gerard Pique, a former defender for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a>, is also under investigation by the Spanish authorities. As part of their investigation into the Luis Rubiales corruption case, they are checking his financial accounts.



The probe has now shifted its explicit emphasis to Pique, according to <a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/20240403/1002221089/guardia-civil-investiga-pique-pago-comisiones-rubiales-supercopa.html#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mundo Deportivo</a>. Kosmos, the firm that the ex-player owns, had a role in the 2020 agreement that brought the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/spanish-supercopa-tv-schedule/">Spanish Super Cup</a> to Saudi Arabia.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240404_WST_499352_Gerard-Pique-1200x670_8cfeddb2.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-499391" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Gerard-Pique-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Gerard-Pique-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Gerard-Pique-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Gerard-Pique.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



But there has been no raid on Kosmos premises. Authorities have not arrested any employees or placed anyone under investigation. That’s according to an official from the business. Pique’s firm was most recognized for its association with the Davis Cup. Despite an original 25-year arrangement, the deal lasted from 2018 through 2023.



The report adds that Blaugrana great bribed Luis Rubiales and other federation executives during the negotiations to have the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. The Spanish Civil Guard now maintains that it is imperative to determine whether it’s true.



<h2>Worse fate for Pique than Rubiales?</h2>



Rumor has it that the 37-year-old will emerge from the investigation just as terrible, if not worse, than Luis Rubiales.



“Do not doubt that Pique is going to testify as a person under investigation because Kosmos is accused and Rubiales as well”, Miguel Angel Galan, the lead prosecutor in the inquiry told <a href="https://www.eldesmarque.com/futbol/20240403/gerard-pique-investigado-rubiales-miguel-galan_300292773.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">El Desmarque</a>,



“Pique is going to testify as a safe suspect, because we are talking about&nbsp;$26 million in illegal commissions. There is a devastating report on the general intervention of the state at the request of the Prosecutor’s Office, in which it says that Kosmos was an intermediary of the Spanish National Football Team.



“Therefore, both the RFEF and Pique cannot continue to repeat that the former footballer was an agent of Arabia. Because the RFEF’s contract with Saudi Arabia says that if the commission is not paid to Pique, the contract is broken”.



“Consequently, there is the corruption of the business conditioning the contract for Pique’s commission, with the aggravating circumstance that there was another offer at the same time and another contract from Qatar bigger than this one, where there was no room for commission agents.”



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Worse fate than Rubiales? Pique probed for alleged corruption

On Wednesday, Luis Rubiales was taken into custody. New reports suggest he may be taking Pique into this corruption scandal.

Lionel Messi’s move to MLS side Inter Miami has allowed Gerard Pique to praise his ex-Barcelona teammate for growing the sport.



The Spanish veteran has spoken highly of his former pal, saying that the Argentine star’s transfer to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ronaldo-vs-messi-what-if-ronaldo-had-signed-with-mls-20240220-WST-490672.html">Inter Miami</a> was a major factor in the growth of soccer in America.



Piqué believes that the lure of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/unprecedented-feat-messi-crowned-most-popular-athlete-in-us-20240223-WST-491328.html">Messi</a>‘s arrival has increased interest in the sport on both sides of the Atlantic. The fact that he captained Argentina to a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-tv-schedule/">World Cup</a> triumph further solidified his position as the greatest of all time.



During the 2000s and 2010s, Barcelona’s famed La Masia program produced a slew of superstars. This was true of both Pique and Messi since they had known each other from the academy and had later become first-team colleagues.



Pique played with his childhood club, Barcelona for most of his professional career until retiring in 2022. The veteran defender discussed the superstar’s legendary reputation and extensive playing career in an interview with <a href="https://www.espn.com.ar/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/13275118/gerard-pique-exclusiva-f90-leo-messi-mejor-jugador-historia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN</a>.



<h2>What did Pique say about Messi?</h2>



“I see Leo happy, he fulfilled all his dreams when he started playing. The World Cup was the epitome of everything and I think that in Miami he is expanding soccer. With his image and the fact of playing in the MLS, he made the United States gain strength.”



He also mentioned the people who thought Messi wasn’t worthy of the spotlight because he hadn’t won a World Cup. Following the 2022 triumph over France, the Argentine silenced all those who dared to challenge him.



With eight Ballon d’Or titles to his name, Messi’s incredible career has sparked both adoration and disapproval. His former teammate believes any doubts about his brilliance were dispelled after his triumph in Qatar.



“Football people wanted Messi to be world champion. Especially because of the doubters who questioned his career, and said he was missing the World Cup. I think there are no longer any doubts. He is the best player in the history of football. He elevated Barcelona to another dimension”, Pique ended.



<h2>How did Messi change MLS scene?</h2>



Lionel Messi has had an unprecedented impact on the influence of soccer in the United States since joining Inter Miami. He stunned fans in his first season with 11 goals in 14 games. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="433" height="343" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240225_WST_491615_image-14_d9cce094.webp&amp;width=433&amp;height=343" alt="" class="wp-image-491643" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/image-14.png 433w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/image-14-300x238.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 433px) 100vw, 433px"></figure><figcaption>Messi has had a huge impact since moving the the MLS</figcaption></figure>



Thus, the forward proved that his talent had not lessened, propelling the Herons to the status of MLS Cup contenders this year.



The 36-year-old had an impact right from the start of the 2024 season, contributing an assist in the win against Real Salt Lake. This bodes well for his future campaigns.



The buzz around Messi and Inter Miami is building as the squad prepares for their next encounter. They will face Los Angeles Galaxy next, and along comes a fast turnaround to face Orlando City.



The addition of Messi has raised not just the team’s aspirations but also David Beckham’s ownership and coach Gerardo Martino’s coaching staff. Moreover, he helped boost the league’s reputation, further solidifying his status as soccer’s absolute best.



Photo credit: IMAGO / El Mundo.

Former Barcelona star credits Messi as US soccer's savior

Lionel Messi's move to MLS side Inter Miami has allowed Gerard Pique to praise his former Barcelona teammate for growing the sport.

Former Barcelona star credits Messi as US soccer's savior - World Soccer Talk

Gerard Pique poked fun at Real Madrid by claiming that people will forget the club’s UEFA Champions League victories. Meanwhile, fans will celebrate Barcelona’s for generations to come.



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a> supporters have never warmed up to the Spanish former defender, and it is easy to see why. The now 36-year-old spent almost a decade with the Catalan powerhouse after rising through the ranks at La Masia.



Although he suddenly announced his retirement from the sport last year, he has constantly remained in the public eye ever since. It makes great sense, given that he has never been shy to say what is on his mind.



As a result, a great deal of the Los Blancos fan base has been unimpressed by some of his previous remarks. And his latest statements will surely not be warmly received by people from the Spanish capital.



<h2>What did Gerard Pique say?</h2>



The ex-<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> defender has reignited the never-ending <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/history-of-el-clasico-real-madrid-vs-barcelona/">El Clasico rivalry</a> discussion between the Catalan club and their arch-enemies. On this occasion, he voiced criticism against their UEFA Champions League victory from the prior year.



When asked about Los Blancos’ surprising 2021-22 Champions League victory, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2021/08/18/barcelonas-1-5-billion-debt-how-a-mega-club-fell-into-a-financial-black-hole-and-lost-its-star/">Gerard Pique</a> made some wild assertions to Catalan radio <a href="https://www.rac1.cat/el-mon/20231108/115495/gerard-pique-ningu-millor-xavi-perque-barca-torni-jugar-be.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RAC1</a>.



“We are in a country in which more people support Real Madrid than Barcelona and they are the team from the capital. We’ll always be the ones who are in the shadows and trying to get one over on them. We don’t have to go into these battles and make our own way, which is closely linked to theirs because of the rivalry. Instead, I think we need to try to focus on who we are.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231109_WST_468605_Ancelotti-Real-UCL-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-468742" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Ancelotti-Real-UCL-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Ancelotti-Real-UCL-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Ancelotti-Real-UCL-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Ancelotti-Real-UCL.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Even if Real Madrid was inferior, Los Blancos was their record 14th UEFA Champions League title.</figcaption></figure>



“Madrid’s current team is just more of the same. They transmit little but they get results and in February, they will be alive in all competitions. They have won 13 or 14 Champions Leagues, and it’s just one more, but when we win, it is remembered forever. The last Champions League they won was a miracle because they were inferior in every stage and in the final, and it will never be remembered.”



Not every team can stage a comeback repeatedly at the death. Carlo Ancelotti’s players did in that particular campaign with relative ease.



<h2>What did Carlo Ancelotti say?</h2>



At the end of the 2021-22 season, Madrid triumphed against PSG, Chelsea, and Manchester City. It reclaimed Europe’s top club trophy. Real won its 14th Champions League title with a 1-0 victory against Liverpool in the finals. Vinicius Junior scored the only goal in the final.



That same year, Barcelona fell in the first round of the tournament. Unfortunately, Barcelona has not won the tournament since 2014-15. Luis Enrique’s squad, led by Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar, defeated Juventus with ease.



Real Madrid boss <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/brazils-proposed-appointment-of-ancelotti-met-with-criticism-20231102-WST-466841.html">Carlo Ancelotti</a> has since fired back angrily at Pique’s remarks, expressing his severe disagreement with them. Pique’s comments insulted the manager of the Whites. He sees the remarks as minimizing Real’s accomplishments.



“Pique lives in his world, which is not that of Madrid. No Madridista can forget about the Fourteenth. All his life it will be remembered”, <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12729473/Carlo-Ancelotti-claims-Gerard-Pique-live-world-former-Barcelona-stars-damning-assessment-remember-Real-Madrids-historic-14th-Champions-League-win.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he stated</a> following the triumph over Braga on Wednesday.



“Real Madrid have done better than others because it is not easy to pass. This does not mean that in the other two we are going to rest, because in the Champions League all the games we have to show our best level. It is a special competition for us and Real Madrid has built its history in this competition.”



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Pique trolls Real for 2022 Champions League, Ancelotti responds

Carlo Ancelotti has replied to remarks made by Gerard Pique, who believes that Barcelona's Champions League teams are more legendary.

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
Lionel Messi’s move to Paris Saint Germain rocked the sports world. A sad, but necessary, move to try to reduce Barcelona’s dire situation of being $1.5 billion debt. Paris came to a standstill to welcome the Argentine. FC Barcelona did not have the winger as a first-team player for the first time in 16 years. LaLiga without the two biggest stars in the game.
Messi’s departure comes unexpectedly for seemingly everyone, including Barcelona management and the player himself. Lionel Messi returned to the club after his first major international success (winning the 2021 Copa América) ready to play. So ready to play that his pay would be slashed in half to free up finances for the club.
Yes, Messi would still make an estimated $85 million per year. If anything, it showed he was willing to work with the club to help them.
Newly elected Barcelona President Joan Laporta came in with two goals. The first one, to look good for fans, was to re-sign Messi. The Argentine’s contract expired at the end of the previous season, leaving him as a free agent. The second, more important goal, was to right Barcelona’s financial crisis.
FC Barcelona, among the biggest clubs in the world, sat billions of euros in debt. Despite a combined social media following of <a href="https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/club/news/2174175/barca-surpasses-400-million-followers-on-social-media" target="_blank" rel="noopener">400-million users</a> and the <a href="https://football-observatory.com/IMG/sites/mr/mr44/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">third-highest average attendance</a> in European soccer, the club was in economic ruin.
To estimate, most bookies say the club sat at $1.5 billion in the hole. As recently as August 16, the debt climbed to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2021/08/16/laporta-says-barcelona-finances-dramatic-but-future-bright/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$1.58 billion</a>, according to Laporta. Barcelona’s well-documented issues dominate headlines right now. Perhaps audiences enjoy watching the old guard fall. Or, on the flip side, fans enjoy seeing their comeback both on and off the field.
Regardless, these issues must be explained before they can be tackled and understood.
<h3>Barcelona’s $1.5 billion debt in three pieces</h3>
<h5>1. Dodgy Transfers</h5>
On face value, transfers are an easy way to spend or earn money, depending on value.
In Barcelona’s case, it’s an understatement to say they took risks in the transfer market when trying to acquire players. Some of this can be chalked up to simple bad luck with injuries. Ousmane Dembele came over from Borussia Dortmund for a base fee of 105 million euros. Add-ons and other fees brought that transfer up to <a href="https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2021/02/12/6026bc3d268e3ecf6a8b45da.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">125 million euros</a>. Dembele’s constant injury dilemmas and lack of success on the field illustrate the obvious failures in the transfer.
Similarly, Barcelona acquired Philippe Coutinho for a club-record fee of 160 million euros. Injuries did not help the Brazilian, who could not keep up form on the field. Often, Barcelona fans at Camp Nou would jeer the midfielder during games.
The same story exists for players like Samuel Umtiti, Andre Gomes and even Antoine Griezmann. Albeit, Griezmann’s performances are fine, they just do not warrant the 120 million euro transfer fee he required.
The only saving grace for Barcelona in terms of transfers is that they sold Neymar for a world-record fee of 222 million euros. Despite the influx of cash from the Parisians, debt persisted and worsened.
At the beginning of 2021, Barcelona’s transfer debt to other clubs sat at roughly <a href="https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news-barcelona-reveal-how-much-they-owe-other-clubs-in-transfer-fees-20210125" target="_blank" rel="noopener">205 million euros</a>.
<h5>2. COVID-19 and other ventures</h5>
FC Barcelona, like millions of employees and companies around the world, suffered massive losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In their end-of-year financial analysis, the club reported a <a href="https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/club/news/1856468/the-201920-economic-year-ends-with-losses-of-97-million-euros-caused-by-the-effects-of-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">net loss of 97 million euros</a> in the 2019-20 season. The club attributes much of that to the loss of a true matchday experience. The club pulled in revenues of 162 million euros from stadium and other venue operation. This is 24 percent less than their revenues from the season prior. Additionally, 249 million euros of revenue came from broadcasting rights for Barcelona games via LaLiga, Copa del Rey or the Champions League. This resembles a 35 million euro decrease from 2018/19.
Despite total revenues reaching 855 million euros, the club budgeted 1.047 billion euros in revenue. The club came up 18 percent short in their revenues.
To boot, FC Barcelona continued their investment in upgrades to their stadium, Camp Nou. The Espai Barca project, which is a plan to modernize the grounds and the stadium at Camp Nou, costs roughly <a href="https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/club/news/1856346/fc-barcelona-gets-a-unique-financing-model-for-espai-barca-based-on-incremental-revenue-generated-by-the-camp-nou-over-25-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener">50 million euros each year</a>, for the next 25 years.
While a welcome change, Espai Barca represents yet another cost that may be avoidable. Regardless, the 25- to 30-year deal with Goldman Sachs yields 50 million in expenses each year.
<div id="attachment_342371" style="width: 1290px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-342371" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-342371 size-full" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20210818_CMS_342353_Camp-Nou.webp&amp;width=1280&amp;height=720" alt="" width="1280" height="720" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Camp-Nou.jpg 1280w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Camp-Nou-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Camp-Nou-600x338.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Camp-Nou-150x84.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Camp-Nou-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px"></figure></div>The famous Camp Nou sat empty for over an entire season, with costly renovations on the horizon.</div>
<h5></h5>
<h5>3. Wages</h5>
The main eye-opener in Barcelona’s $1.5 billion debt is player wages. Headlines regarding Pique, Messi and other long-standing players mention the lofty wages that must be dealt with.
Before his contract ended, Messi’s contract brought him over 500 million euros over a four-year span. Gerard Pique needed to take a 50 percent salary cut just to allow Barcelona’s new signings to play.
The salary issue reached roughly <a href="https://salarysport.com/football/la-liga/barcelona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">280 million euros per year</a>. This was obviously unsustainable, and it brought tough decisions to the forefront of the club to offset Barcelona’s $1.5 billion debt.
<h3>Steps towards recovery</h3>
<h5>Tough goodbyes</h5>
Lionel Messi&nbsp;is, not was, an icon of the club. He wanted to stay and sign a new four-year deal at the club, taking a massive slash to his wages. He took on the saying&nbsp;mes que un club, as you would expect the captain to do. However, Messi’s contract and the associated plans presented by Laporta were not allowed under LaLiga attempts to tighten financial regulations.
With the need to shed 200 million euros to meet LaLiga’s salary cap, not even Messi’s 50 percent cut fit the designated amount. Pique’s contract was relatively small enough to squeeze into the salary cap.
For those wondering why Messi could not take more money off his contract, Barcelona thought of that as well. To avoid fraud, one’s contract can be no smaller than 50 percent of the previous contract. This means that even with the maximum cut, Messi’s contract was too large.
Here is where Joan Laporta blames the previous administration. Barcelona’s previous board, led by Josep Maria Bartomeu, signed players to such large contracts. Contracts so inflated that the debt kept piling up.
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2021/07/17/espn-faq-for-la-liga-everything-you-need-to-know/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">READ MORE:</a>&nbsp;ESPN+ FAQ for La Liga: Everything you need to know
Griezmann, Coutinho and Miralem Pjanic, all signings by the previous board, occupied the second-, third- and fourth-<a href="https://salarysport.com/football/la-liga/barcelona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highest salaries in 2020/21</a>. One thing these players have in common is that they underperform based on their wages, significantly. No other team wants to buy these players in a transfer to help Barcelona knowing the on-field product will not deliver. In the end, these players sit, unused, raking in lump sums of money.
Francisco Trincão and Junior Firpo highlight those who departed in the summer of 2021 to shed some of the salary for the upcoming season.
<h5>Return to Development at La Masia</h5>
The previous administration took over in 2014. The squad headlined by Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Sergio Busquets and other La Masia products won three UEFA Champions League titles in six years. This core added a fourth in 2015. However, the direction of the club quickly changed.
The performances on the field lost the&nbsp;tiki-taka flair established by Pep Guardiola. Instead of growing talents from their academy, many players simply arrived via transfers.
We can see, now, how that turned out for the club. No more Champions League triumphs, a handful of domestic success, but nothing to match the standard of FC Barcelona.
To fix Barcelona’s $1.5 billion debt, the plan has to revert to using La Masia to create home-grown talents. Riqui Puig, Ilaix Moriba, Oscar Mingueza and other young players demonstrate the facility still has potential.
During his campaign for presidency, Laporta argued that the club must prioritize La Masia over outside transfers. This will be hard for many Barcelona fans used to domestic and intercontinental success, but this process will take time. However, the results, as seen in the ten-year stretch from 2006-2015, do not lie.
<div id="attachment_342368" style="width: 1110px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-342368" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-342368 size-full" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20210818_CMS_342353_Pep-Resize.webp&amp;width=1100&amp;height=683" alt="" width="1100" height="683" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Resize.jpg 1100w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Resize-300x186.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Resize-600x373.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Resize-150x93.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Resize-768x477.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/Pep-Resize-223x137.jpg 223w" sizes="(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px"></figure></div>FC Barcelona players lift former manager Pep Guardiola.</div>
<h5></h5>
<h5>Rebuild the culture</h5>
Lionel Messi is one of the last players to hold what made the Barcelona teams of years prior so special. He played with a certain style on the pitch. Also, he did not speak negatively about the club until the summer of 2020 during his quarrel with Bartomeu.
With Messi gone, it is hard to envision the trademark tiki-taka style at Camp Nou. With Laporta emphasizing the importance of La Masia, that style can return to its roots.
A younger revolution at the club means the chance to create something special. The results can be seen. Pedri, although he was purchased from Las Palmas, resembles what Iniesta and Xavi brought to the club. It is a challenging comparison to make, but Ansu Fati is on par with some of Messi’s early records. These players, along with the aforementioned La Masia graduates, can build the core of a team to legitimately compete in a few years.
What is even more exciting for Barcelona and its fans, is the fact that these players have the charisma and style that graced previous generations of Barcelona players. Perhaps Barcelona can rise again?
<div style="font-size: 10px;color: #cccccc;overflow: hidden;font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk" title="World Soccer Talk Podcast" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc;text-decoration: none" rel="noopener">World Soccer Talk Podcast</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk/can-espn-grow-laliga-in-the-united-states" title="Can ESPN grow LaLiga in the United States?" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc;text-decoration: none" rel="noopener">Can ESPN grow LaLiga in the United States?</a></div>

FC Barcelona's $1.5 billion debt seems like an impossible number to reach. However, what seems even more insurmountable is trying to overcome it.

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