Source: Daily_Mail
Pique: I lived my dreams against United... then Barcelona went crazy
Barcelona's former Manchester United full back GERARD PIQUE shares his emotions on the greatest night of his footballing life... a mixture of sheer joy and sympathy for old pals.
My dream has been realised. What an incredible, crazy night.
When I returned to Barcelona in the summer I said my dream was for us to meet Manchester United in the final and to beat them. It couldn’t be more perfect.
When I left United it was because I wanted to play. It was a very difficult decision because I had a lot of love for the players, fans and Sir Alex. We had a great affinity for each other.
He always left his door open for me and in the end I said I wanted to go because it was Barcelona again and because I had more chance to play.
He sent me a letter after I left which is one of my treasured possessions and his words spurred me on.
I was very emotional when he came across to see me before the game and afterwards. He said hello, had a little chat, he wished me all the best and gave me a hug. It meant a lot. He is a special man.
But in the game we were the better team. In the beginning it was very difficult, but after Samuel’s goal we clicked. Then, after the second, we felt we were very close to being the new champions; we just tried not to lose the ball. We are the best, I would say, and better than United. It’s just incredible, unbelievable. What else can I ask for?
It was great in the dressing room. Everybody was running around, screaming, throwing things at each other, drinks, socks.
It was the most crazy thing I have been part of. We were all out of our minds, we couldn’t believe what we had just achieved. It was sheer emotion, mad. We partied afterwards with all the families.
Pep had said we should get to bed around 1.30am but we carried on at the disco, the
president was there, everyone was delirious.
It was very intense, like living a dream and not wanting to wake up. It will take us years, even decades to realise what we have achieved. Then we’ll look back and enjoy it again.
People were asking why I cut the net. I cut it because I wanted to take home a part of the Olympic Stadium, we cut it into little pieces for everybody to have one as a souvenir.
I feel a bit sorry for the friends I left at United and for the fans.
They came over to congratulate me afterwards and we spoke a little. Maybe tactically they got it wrong but it’s not the time to talk about it. It would not be fair. I had a few messages from them, too, and I’ll talk to them over the next few days.
You can feel for them, losing a final is tough but United will get over it and bite back, I’m sure.
Now I just want to party!
