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FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique was targetted yet again by Real Madrid fans, and this time, it wasn't for any different reason as it was a few days back. It was his tweet following the Catalan's 0-3 win over River Plate in the FIFA Club World Cup final that left the fans fuming.
Lionel Messi, who had missed the semi-final, opened the scoring followed by Luis Suarez grabbing his brace, helping Barcelona lift the trophy for the third time in their history. No other team has won more in the history of the competition since it was founded in 2000. And, of course, Pique had to tweet after the victory. Not that there was anything wrong with it, but the timing couldn’t have been more hurtful for rival Real Madrid supporters.
It was only in the first week of December when Pique’s tweet after Real Madrid were kicked out of the Copa Del Rey for fielding an ineligible player gave rise to several altercations on between the defender and several other Real Madrid associates, including his Spanish teammate Sergio Ramos.
Here's how several Real Madrid fans responded to Pique's tweet
A tweet from a young Odense Boldklub player who also happens to be a Real Madrid fan.
A few reporters were also successful in getting a response from Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez.
An expulsion this early in the tournament left Real Madrid red-faced and rival fans have not stopped trolling the club since. Add former Brazil and Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari to the list who mocked the 10-time Champions League winning team saying, “At least we didn’t concede four like Real Madrid,” after his team’s 3-0 defeat against Barcelona in the semi-final of the Club World Cup.
Pique's tweet went viral on Twitter and was retweeted by more than 120,000 users with him even enquiring if it was a record for a tweet with no text two days later.
Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa had also taken a swipe at him, stating, “Pique seems obsessed with us,” in a post-match press conference.
"I'll see him in a comedy club talking about Madrid. The last 10 years for Barca don't equal Madrid's history,” he added.
Pique didn’t take too kindly to Arbeloa’s words and responded saying, “Arbeloa has previously said he is my friend. I don’t consider him my friend, maybe an acquaintance. Not a friend.”
These clashes between players seem to have agitated Spain National Team manager, Vicente del Bosque as well who has expressed his displeasure.
“It's not great that there are piques between them. In the national team when there has been problems we've found a solution.
"It's history between the two clubs, the coach has nothing to say. It's a problem with the clubs. When we are with the national team we take the necessary measures. I guess I'll have to talk to them.”
But, it is definitely safe to say that Gerard Pique is a bigger Culé than all other Barcelona fans out there.
