Barcelona star Gerard Pique's luxury hotel business venture is facing a major setback after 250 graves were discovered on one of his properties in Malaga. The defender paid $20m for the property on the Costa del Sol. The 35-year-old will now have to wait as the project has ground to a halt with studies needing to be carried out.
“We have excavated about 250 tombs, of which the vast majority are empty,” archaeologist Alberto Cumpian said. “Possibly the tombs were never used, and are not valuable enough to be preserved. It is one of the largest necropolises in the country.” After the studies have been conducted, work can carry on early in 2023.
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This is just one of many business investments that Pique has made over the years as he plans for life after football. His retirement saves Barca £46m: a great shame considering he has won eight La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns with them, while playing 614 games since joining from Manchester United in 2008, and scoring 53 goals.
The 2010 World Cup winner only made eight appearances in all competitions this season, four of which were starts. He was under contract with the Catalan giants until the summer of 2024 despite falling down the pecking order and becoming the fifth choice centre-back under boss and former team-mate Xavi.
Pique could do with some sympathy
All that is moot, given Pique's turbulent decision. The timing is not as dignified as it could have been but it is clear that external pressures played on Pique. The disintegration of his personal life with the split from his partner of 12 years makes this an ugly time for the Barcelona legend. We can only hope someone is putting an arm around him at this time.
