Happy birthday to Gerard Pique! Barcelona star turns 34 today

Today we celebrate the 34th birthday of FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique by taking a brief look back on his career story.

Gerard Pique Bernabeu is one of the most successful and respected center-backs in recent football history, having enjoyed a remarkable 17-year career at both club and international level.

The Catalan’s commanding presence, tactical aptitude, versatility, and tendency to use his height for an added attacking threat have been used to great effect. He was even once compared to German legend Franz Beckenbauer for playing as a sweeper. Hence, the nickname ‘Piquenbauer’.

34

— Gerard Piqué (@3gerardpique) February 1, 2021

Pique learned his trade at Barcelona’s famed ‘La Masia’ academy before joining Manchester United in 2004 at only 17 years of age.

After making just 23 first-team appearances over the course of a four-year spell, however, Pique left Old Trafford for a fairytale return to Barcelona. He became a key figure in Pep Guardiola’s revolution, helping the club embark on an unprecedented glory-laden era alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi Hernandez.

Pique won a treble in his first season back at Camp Nou in 2008/09 and became one of only four players to win back-to-back Champions League titles with different clubs after Marcel Desailly, Paulo Sousa, and Samuel Eto’o.

He has since made 553 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona and won a remarkable 29 trophies; including eight LaLiga, three Champions League, and three FIFA Club World Cup titles.

The 34-year-old was also an essential part of the Spanish national team’s golden era between 2008 and 2012. Two European titles and a World Cup came his way. He retired from international football at the end of the 2018 World Cup, having won 102 caps for La Roja and further 10 caps with Catalonia.

Everyone here on Ace Football wishes Gerard a happy 34th birthday and all the best for the upcoming year.

Here are some of the best tributes on Twitter today.

G⚽️AL OF THE DAY
🥳🎂 @3gerardpique pic.twitter.com/ZkenQbtUfQ

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 2, 2021

Wishing Gerard Piqué a very happy 34th birthday! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/gvwlOmy8xb

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) February 2, 2021

Happy 34th Birthday Gerard Piqué! One of the best defenders that has ever played for our club! An Inspiring leader in our team! A loyal and a true defender, not just on the pitch, but off the pitch as well! Wishing you the happiest and Safest Birthday, Príncipe Piqué! 🥳✨ pic.twitter.com/hgVJAH6qXj

— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) February 2, 2021

Feliz cumple to Gerard Piqué.

The Catalan has won every title available to him with Barcelona and La Roja, is developing a career post-football as a savvy businessman and is married to Shakira.

Yeah, we hate him too. 😜 https://t.co/h2j4J6CpD2 pic.twitter.com/3m9DMdgXxY

— La Liga Lowdown 🧡🇪🇸⚽️ (@LaLigaLowdown) February 1, 2021