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Goal.com 50: Gerard Pique (16)
Gerard Pique was the 16th best player of 2009-10, according to Goal.com experts...
| Bet: | Returns: | Leverkusen £70.00 | Draw £42.00 | Barcelona £14.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Leverkusen £65.00 | Draw £43.30 | Barcelona £14.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Leverkusen £80.00 | Draw £40.00 | Barcelona £14.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Leverkusen £85.00 | Draw £45.00 | Barcelona £14.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Leverkusen £75.00 | Draw £42.00 | Barcelona £13.70 |
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Jul 29, 2010 11:15:00 AM
By Paul Macdonald
Welcome to the Goal.com 50! In this special series, Goal.com editors worldwide vote for the top 50 players of 2009-10. We count down to the announcement of the winner on August 10th with profiles of each and every player who made it into the top 50...
The concept of a central defender with skill on the ball has found no more influential proponent than German legend Franz Beckenbauer. His elegant but domineering presence contrasted against his ability to step out of the back four majestically and become an auxiliary, deep-lying playmaker.
In Gerard Pique, Barcelona have a sophisticated stopper who enjoys similarities in style to the Bayern Munich legend. Little wonder, then, that the Blaugrana faithful have dubbed him 'Piquebauer', in homage to Der Kaiser, and during 2009-10 the 23-year-old further underlined his suitability for such a weighty nickname.
Since deciding to part ways with Manchester United and the English Premier League in the summer of 2008, Pique has developed from Rio Ferdinand's understudy to full-blown leading man. After the unprecedented, unbridled glory of Barcelona's Triplete triumph, in 2009 he cemented his position as Carlos Puyol's partner at both club and international level. Both have reaped the benefits of such a secure pairing, quantified by continued success on the pitch. Their attributes complement each other, with Pique providing an injection of pace, and also an adept reading of the game that blossomed as the season progressed.
A second consecutive Primera Division title was secured thanks in no small part to the stinginess of the Barcelona back line, which conceded just 24 goals in the entire league campaign, the lowest of any major club in Europe.
Despite a controversial Champions League exit at the hands of Jose Mourinho's Inter, Pique scored the type of goal that many strikers would be showered in adulation for netting, performing a pirouette around goalkeeper Julio Cesar and slamming home.
The boy born in the heart of Catalunya more than atoned for the disappointment of that defeat, though, as Spain marched to their inaugural World Cup victory, with he and stablemate Puyol equally as resilient as they had been for their club throughout the season. He played every minute of the competition, and successfully shut out the threats of Cristiano Ronaldo, the free-flowing Germans and the Dutch, to secure his place in history.
The concept of a central defender with skill on the ball has found no more influential proponent than German legend Franz Beckenbauer. His elegant but domineering presence contrasted against his ability to step out of the back four majestically and become an auxiliary, deep-lying playmaker.
In Gerard Pique, Barcelona have a sophisticated stopper who enjoys similarities in style to the Bayern Munich legend. Little wonder, then, that the Blaugrana faithful have dubbed him 'Piquebauer', in homage to Der Kaiser, and during 2009-10 the 23-year-old further underlined his suitability for such a weighty nickname.
Since deciding to part ways with Manchester United and the English Premier League in the summer of 2008, Pique has developed from Rio Ferdinand's understudy to full-blown leading man. After the unprecedented, unbridled glory of Barcelona's Triplete triumph, in 2009 he cemented his position as Carlos Puyol's partner at both club and international level. Both have reaped the benefits of such a secure pairing, quantified by continued success on the pitch. Their attributes complement each other, with Pique providing an injection of pace, and also an adept reading of the game that blossomed as the season progressed.
A second consecutive Primera Division title was secured thanks in no small part to the stinginess of the Barcelona back line, which conceded just 24 goals in the entire league campaign, the lowest of any major club in Europe.
Despite a controversial Champions League exit at the hands of Jose Mourinho's Inter, Pique scored the type of goal that many strikers would be showered in adulation for netting, performing a pirouette around goalkeeper Julio Cesar and slamming home.
The boy born in the heart of Catalunya more than atoned for the disappointment of that defeat, though, as Spain marched to their inaugural World Cup victory, with he and stablemate Puyol equally as resilient as they had been for their club throughout the season. He played every minute of the competition, and successfully shut out the threats of Cristiano Ronaldo, the free-flowing Germans and the Dutch, to secure his place in history.
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Gerard Pique
Moment of the Season
 Guiding Spain to their long-awaited first World Cup crown
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While Puyol is straight-edged, and the beating heart of the Camp Nou, Pique has brought shrewdness and style back to the defensive role, regularly springing long passes and stepping up to provide extra forward momentum, freeing Xavi to pull the strings. He has shown maturity and the scope for leadership that belies his relatively young age. On the evidence of his almost flawless campaign, Barcelona look to have developed Pique into the type of player who has the potential to be revered alongside modern club greats such as Koeman, Nadal, Abelardo and, of course, Puyol.
Under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola, Barcelona have the potential for European dominance over the next decade with their conveyor belt of talent producing endlessly gifted footballers. Although Pique might have been born in Spain but cultivated in England, he has returned to his la Masia roots where his ability was first bred, and in doing so has continued to prove that Barcelona were shrewd in welcoming back their former protege.
With his World Cup winners medal enjoying pride of place alongside the Champions League and Primera Division gongs, Pique has already achieved more than most footballers would ever dream of, and yet remains in the infancy of his career. It’s been quite a season, and quite a career, so far.
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provides the best breaking news online and our football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!Goal.com Poll
Poll runs from Jul 29, 2010 to Aug 10, 2010
Poll runs from Jul 29, 2010 to Aug 10, 2010
Goal.com 50: Was Gerard Pique (16) Placed Correctly?
Too High
39.76%
Too Low
30.97%
Just Right
29.27%
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