<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>Barcelona legend Gerard Pique was given an emotional standing ovation as he made his final Nou Camp appearance in their 2-0 La Liga win over Almeria.</b></span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He was replaced in the 84th minute and tearfully embraced all his team-mates, boss Xavi and the entire Barca bench.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 35-year-old will retire after Tuesday's trip to Osasuna, although it is not certain he will play in that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the game he gave a speech on the pitch, saying: "I was born here and I will die here."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He added: "When you get older, you realise that sometimes to love is to let go. I'm convinced that I'll be here again in the future.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I love Barca. That's why I consider it's the right moment to go. This is not a goodbye."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There were several tributes to him on his farewell night at the Nou Camp.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pique, who was named captain, walked on to the pitch with his two sons, as all his team-mates wore shirts with his name and number three on the back.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There was a huge banner on the pitch that said 'Sempr3' (For3ver) and a video celebrating Pique's career was played on the big screen to the fans as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Barcelona won an early penalty with their fans chanting for Pique to take it. But the Spaniard pointed to Robert Lewandowski, who stepped up and hit the post.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pique, who scored 53 goals for Barcelona, headed a chance over the bar and had another saved by Fernando Martinez.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong scored the second-half goals to take Barcelona top of La Liga.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At full-time Pique came back onto the pitch to applaud the fans and was throw into the air by his team-mates.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The ex-Spain defender announced his decision on Thursday, despite having 18 months left on his deal, and his exit will help Barca with their wage bill.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pique won 30 trophies and made 616 appearances for Barca after joining in 2008 from Manchester United.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Barcelona reportedly put Pique under pressure to leave to ease their financial issues. He was their fifth-choice centre-back this season, although has still played 10 times.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As well as other business interests, Pique owns FC Andorra, who play in the Spanish second tier.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pique played the fifth most games of any Barcelona player - with the four players above him all team-mates at one time or another - Lionel Messi (778), manager Xavi Hernandez (767), current Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets (694) and Andres Iniesta (674).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Only Messi (35) and Iniesta (32) won more trophies for Barca than Pique. BBC</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>