Pique: The 2018 World Cup in Russia will be my last appearance for Spain

After being on the receiving end of numerous criticisms, Gerard Pique decided it best if he were to bring his time with La Roja to an end after the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the centre-back stated on Sunday night.

In his eyes, the defender is one of Spain’s best and most consistent performers and yet one of the least appreciated, so retiring at age 31 before the next international cycle is an understandable decision from that perspective.”The 2018 World Cup in Russia will be my last appearance for the Spanish national team,” Pique said. “I’ve thought about it a lot.”This isn’t a spur of the moment decision.”