Pique: I'd rather die than join Real Madrid

Think of Gerard Pique, and you immediately think of Barcelona, Shakira and maybe Davis Cup tennis.

You could cut him open, and he would bleed the blue and garnet colours of the Blaugrana after spending the last thirteen years at the heart of the Camp Nou defence.

For most of that time, Pique has enjoyed success and triumph playing and winning trophies with players such as Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Neymar, Luis Suarez and newly crowned seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi.

During his Barca career, he's won La Liga eight times, seven Copa del Rey trophies, three Champions League winners medals as well as a Euros and World Cup with Spain.

The 34-year-old is undoubtedly Barcelona through and through.

So it comes as no surprise that he would choose death over joining bitter El Clasico rivals Real Madrid.

Pique on joining Real Madrid

Pique was speaking on Spanish TV channel Antenna 3's 'El Hormiguero' show and was asked what it would take to get him considering an offer from Real Madrid.

"It's absolutely impossible. There's nothing. I'd rather die than go to Madrid," he said with a smile.

Pique on new head coach Xavi

Barcelona have suffered a difficult start to the season and subsequently sacked head coach Ronald Koeman, replacing him with former Pique teammate Xavi.

And asked what it was like to now be coached by his former playing partner that formed the spine of successful Barca teams, Pique admitted he feels obliged not to let his new head coach down. He said: "I don't know if it's positive or not that Xavi has been a teammate.

"It puts added pressure on you in a good way. You can't fail him morally.

"He knows the level I can give and he doesn't give me the feeling like I'm failing him."

Pique on Messi

The interview couldn't end without mentioning his good friend Messi, who left Barcelona in the summer to join PSG.

And Pique revealed he felt like he was losing a member of his family when the Argentine announced he was leaving.

"It was a very hard day. We have shared 16 years of strips together," he explained.

"He's almost like a brother. It was on a personal level. This year things have not started well because we have lost the best in history.

"Yesterday he won the Ballon d'Or showing that he is the best in history."