Gerard Pique has mercilessly taken the opportunity to mock Real Madrid after their shocking Copa del Rey exit, where the Madrid side were beaten by second division side Albacete on Wednesday night.
Real Madrid parted ways with former coach Xabi Alonso earlier this week and entrusted the team's management to Alvaro Arbeloa, tying the former Castilla coach to a contract that extends beyond the end of the season, as a sign of confidence in the former right-back.
However, Arbeloa's arrival on the bench did not bring any positive change. His tenure began with a 3-2 defeat and a surprise elimination from the Copa del Rey in the round of 16.
"Excellent debut for the new Madrid," Pique joked during a Twitch broadcast after Real Madrid's heavy defeat.
Pique's status as a Barcelona legend explains his willingness to provoke rivals, but his statement does little to ease the tensions that had been brewing since their playing careers, on opposite sides of the El Clasico rivalry.
Although the rivalry between Arbeloa and Pique, given their heritage at Real Madrid and Barcelona, is not at all surprising, the Spanish national team has for years suffered an unpleasant tension whenever players from the two rival clubs have been forced to collaborate on the international stage.
In fact, Arbeloa and Pique have played 38 games together for Spain, but have never had a good relationship. In 2015, the former Barcelona defender was criticized after declaring that Arbeloa "is not a friend, just someone I know."
After four months of reflection, Arbeloa reacted to La Galerna:
"I could explain to the world why I'm not friends with Pique, but it probably wouldn't do them any good if I did."
"It's also true that I know his family and the respect I have for them, he doesn't have for mine. Families are important. We hear a lot of nonsense and in a way it doesn't impress you, but the people close to him suffer."Telegrafi
