Welcome to #EuroRank, a weeklong look at the top 25 players we expect to see at the European Championship. Over 50 ESPN FC experts and writers from across the globe voted, and we're rolling out the results right up to opening day, when France plays Romania on June 10.
Why is Gerard Pique in the top 25?
Pique has been one of the best defenders in world football since he returned to Barcelona, the club where his grandfather was once vice president, from Manchester United in 2008. Anticipation and distribution are the attributes that suit Barca's and Spain's game down to the ground, and Pique was a leading light in La Roja's 2010 World Cup win and Euro 2012 follow-up victory. And when his teams need a goal, expect to see him charging forward to join the attack.
What the experts say about Pique:
"He is great player. We knew that when he was a young player with us. At a European conference, [Pep] Guardiola told me he was the best signing he had made." -- Sir Alex Ferguson, 2013.
"Pique is an extraordinary player and makes a difference both at Barca and for Spain, he's one of the best central defenders in the world." -- Xavi, October 2015.
Career highlight:
Having sat on the bench and watched United win the 2008 Champions League final, Pique played against his former club in the following year's final for Barcelona and starred in a 2-0 win in Rome.
Stat of the season:
Pique managed 176 clearances in the 2015-16 season, at least 85 more than any other Barcelona player (via Opta).
What next for Pique after Euro 2016?
As a symbol of his club, and now among the team's most experienced players, it is highly unlikely that Pique will be doing anything other than to help push Barca on to further silverware.
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