"We all have to reflect, to focus on what's best for the club... No one is irreplaceable and I will be the first to offer myself up if new blood is needed," declared Barcelona captain Gerard Pique right after his boyhood club's infamous 8-2 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich in 2020. 

Two years later, after the Spanish giants suffered further embarrassment by being knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage for the second season running, Pique finally did what he had long intended to do. 

The 35-year-old veteran, who has played 615 games for Barcelona, announced on Thursday that he will retire from football and that this Saturday's clash with Almeria in Spanish La Liga will be his last at the Camp Nou.

"The last few weeks, months, people have been talking about me," said Pique in a video posted on Twitter. "Until now, I have not said anything, but now I want to be the one who is talking about me.

"Like many of you, I have always been a Barcelona fan. I was born into a football-loving family. From a very young age, I did not want to become a footballer, I wanted to play for Barca.

"Recently, I have thought a lot about that kid. If he had been told he would fulfill all his dreams - that he would play for Barca, that he would win every trophy possible, that he would be a European and world champion. 

"That he would play with the best players in history, that he would become one of the team's captains. ... Football has given me everything. You, the fans, have given me everything. And now my childhood dreams have been fulfilled, I want to tell you that I've decided that now is the time to bring this journey to its end. 

"I have always said that after Barcelona there will be no other team, and that is how it will be. This Saturday's game will be my last at Camp Nou. 

"I will become a regular fan, I will support the team and transmit my love for the club to my kids, like my family did with me. And you know me, sooner or later I will be back. See you at Camp Nou. Visca Barca, always and forever." 

Pique's sudden retirement announcement was met with an outpouring of tributes from the football world.   

Spanish star Giuseppe Rossi said, "A pleasure to share locker room and the field together! You are number 1 Gerry! A big hug. Enjoy you deserve it." Barca striker Ferran Torres added, "You are the best." The Netherlands and Barcelona legendary forward Patrick Kluivert wrote, "Thanks for everything." 

Former teammates Ivan Rakitic, Aymeric Laporte, and Javier Mascherano also paid their tributes to Pique's brilliant career.

Pique joined Barcelona's youth academy in 1997 before leaving for Manchester United in 2004. He rejoined the Catalan powerhouse in 2008 and enjoyed a trophy-laden career in Spain, winning eight La Liga titles, three Champions League crowns and seven Copa del Rey triumphs.

Pique was one of the most dependable center backs in his first 14 seasons with the Barcelona first team but has fallen down the pecking order this term after the arrival of French sensation Jules Kounde and Danish talent Andreas Christensen. He has made only nine appearances in all competitions so far this season. 

Pique was also an integral member of Spain's golden generation as he helped the national team clinch the World Cup in 2010 and the 2012 European Championship in a dominant run before retiring from international football in 2018. 

According to multiple Spanish media outlets, Pique, whose original contract runs until 2024, will forego the rest of his salary, having already accepted a massive pay cut last season.  

It is understood that as Pique takes an active role in helping deal with the club's financial troubles, he might consider a bid to become Barcelona president in the future.