Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has trolled rivals Real Madrid over their failed pursuit of PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe in the summer transfer window.
According to ESPN, Barcelona defender and co-captain Gerard Pique has taken a dig at arch-rivals Real Madrid after they failed in their bid to secure the signing of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
It is no secret that Real Madrid had been ardently pursuing the signing of the 22-year-old Mbappe all summer long. But their efforts to land the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner really picked towards the final days of the transfer window when they submitted multiple offers to the French heavyweights, only to be rebuffed, or even ignored in case of their last offer close to the deadline day.
Mbappe, who has entered the final year of his contract with PSG, is very much likely to leave next summer and is expected to sign a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid in January over a free transfer in 2022. However, having missed out on his signing this year, fans will have been left disappointed.
And Gerard Pique decided to add salt to injury by trolling Real Madrid over their inability to land their primary target this summer.
Prior to the deadline day, Madrid-based newspaper Marca had launched a poll asking fans which kit number Mbappe would be wearing once he joins the Merengues this summer.
The options of No. 19, vacated by Alvaro Odriozola, No. 5, previously worn by Zinedine Zidane, No. 23 in honour of Michael Jordan were mooted, along with the possibility of taking No. 7 or No. 10 from Eden Hazard or Luka Modric, respectively. And Pique took to social media, posting that Mbappe will be definitely wearing No. 7 as he is continuing at Paris Saint-Germain.
Pique’s post went viral very quickly, and while it is nothing new for players to troll fans of rival clubs, the veteran defender’s timing was anything but proper, considering how things are currently at Barcelona. The Catalans themselves have had to endure a torrid window losing Lionel Messi then selling Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid.
As for Mbappe, a move to Real Madrid seems only a matter of when and not if. Having failed to complete the switch this summer, the 22-year-old should be on his way to the Bernabeu next year.
