The Spanish defender says he will play his last game at home against Almeria on Saturday

Gerard Pique has sprung a surprise. The Catalan defender posted a video on Twitter announcing his retirement from football, saying that on Saturday he will play his last game at Camp Nou.

“I’ve decided that this is the moment to close the cycle,” said the defender. “I’ve always said that after Barca there will be no other team, and that’s it.

“This Saturday will be my last game at Camp Nou.”

Barcelona face Almeria at him on Saturday at 9pm.

The Catalans go on to face Osasuna in Pamplona on Tuesday, which could be his last appearance for the club.

“For weeks and months they have talked about me and until now I haven’t said anything, but now I want to be the one to talk to you about myself,” he said.

“Like many of you, I am a Barca fan, lifelong. I didn’t want to be a football player, I wanted to be a Barca player.”