Pique could make shock Spain return to play at the Qatar World Cup

Gerard Piqué retired from international football after the 2018 World Cup, but the centre-back could make a shock return for Spain in order to play at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

The defender has just turned 35 and isn’t having his best season, but he remains one of the best Spanish centre-backs as this is a position where Luis Enrique doesn’t have too many options. Aymeric Laporte was drafted in from France ahead of Euro 2020 and immediately became a starter, with the Manchester City man having been partnered by a mix of Eric García, Iñigo Martínez and Pau Torres over the past year. A partnership of Laporte and Piqué might, in fact, be the most solid option for Luis Enrique at the position.

Talk of Piqué’s return to La Roja was kickstarted by the player himself, as he discussed this in a Twitch appearance alongside Spanish influencer Ibai Llanos in midweek. “I hadn’t thought about it and obviously I have left the national team, but I’m the kind of person who might one day say 'oh' and I don’t want to close the door fully. I’d say that 99% I won’t, but I don’t want to say 100%.”

This sparked a debate and MARCA have now reported that there is something to Piqué’s comments. It’s still unlikely, but there is more than the 1% chance he stated in that interview.

Piqué's 103 appearances with Spain

The last few years of Piqué’s time representing Spain were complicated for the player, as he was whistled in every home game, but he has explained that he actually relished that attention from the fans and that he played his best football when whistled by the supporters of La Roja. A negative reaction to his return wouldn’t, therefore, be offputting.

Then there is the fact that there is a different atmosphere to the Spanish national team these days. Luis Enrique remains in charge and he has brought many Barcelona players into the fold, often leaving Real Madrid players out of his squad lists entirely. This has seen some in the Madrid media distance themselves from the national team, which would be good news for Piqué as it was these journalists who he fell out with towards the end of his time wearing the red of Spain.

The Spanish national team will even return to Catalonia in March for the first time since 2004, taking on Albania in a friendly match at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium.

If Piqué were to return and play for Spain again, he’d be able to add to his current appearances tally of 103. During his previous stint, he won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 for La Roja when playing alongside Carles Puyol and Sergio Ramos. Now, he could look to make a comeback and partner Laporte in Qatar.