Football
Sam Marsden, Barcelona correspondent 7y

Gerard Pique not fussed by derogatory Real Madrid chants aimed at him

Gerard Pique says he has no problem with chants aimed at him by Real Madrid players as they celebrated their La Liga title win on Sunday, despite calls from some sections of the media for an apology to be issued to the Barcelona defender.  

Madrid's 2-0 win at Malaga on Sunday wrapped up their first title since 2012 and they headed back to the Spanish capital to celebrate their success on an open-top bus parade to Cibeles.

Footage captured during that parade showed a number of Madrid players, led by Dani Carvajal, singing: "Pique, a-----e, bow down to the champions."

"It's a known chant [among fans] and I don't consider it an insult," Pique said on Wednesday at the opening of a new football pitch outside of Barcelona as part of a project set up by the FC Barcelona Foundation and the Johan Cruyff Foundation.

"It was a moment of euphoria, of celebration... I have played with Carvajal, I play cards with him. I know him well and he's a good guy. He sent a message [after the controversy] and I quickly sent him one back saying there's no problem; no need to apologise. I don't think we need to give it much importance."

Pique will return from a stomach virus on Saturday for the Copa del Rey final against Alaves, which is now the only trophy Barca are able to win this season.

"It's not a failure [to win the Copa del Rey] but it's not been the season we wanted or dreamed of," Pique said when asked if just winning the cup will be even less significant if Madrid win a La Liga-Champions League Double.

"We should not judge our season based on what rivals do. Even if Madrid didn't win the league or get to the Champions League final, it would still be the same for us.

"But if you look at the last nine, 10 years, we've won a lot. I've already said that the Copa del Rey is not the dream year, but there was also a year when we only won the Spanish Super Cup and the following season we won the Treble.

"This generation has won everything. And many times. We've not just won titles, but we've changed the mentality of the fans. I'd never seen Barca fans lose and feel so proud of their team [against Juventus] and I hope that's a change that will last forever -- I think that's what stays with us."

Pique says he will not be able to see if Madrid do manage to complete their Double against a Juventus side looking to win the Treble when the two sides meet in Cardiff on June 3.

"I don't think I will be able to watch the game because I am on a course at Harvard in business, media, sports and entertainment," he said.

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