'People want the truth!' - Ex-Barcelona star Gerard Pique slams the Blaugrana over financial predicament & demands answers if they 'don't have the money to be competitive'

Pique criticised his former employers on Sunday, calling the club out for their lack of financial transparency, and insisting that they won't win the Champions League. The Blaugrana are deep in debt, and would seem to face a challenge to push for European success.

In a wide-ranging interview on Twitch, Pique gave an honest assessment of Barca's situation: "I think Barca fans want the truth. If we are in this reality, we have to say it. What we cannot do is sell a smokescreen saying that you're going to win the Champions League when you don't have the money to be competitive. I don't know the club's situation in detail, but I think people want to know the truth, to be told that there is no money, that they are going to bet on La Masia for two to three years."

Less than a year after winning La Liga, Barca are facing the reality of going a full season without silverware. They lost in the Spanish Super Cup final to arch-rivals Real Madrid, crashed out of the Copa del Rey, and are third in the league table. Their debts, according to some estimates, total more than €1 billion (£900 million/$1.1bn).

On the pitch, the Blaugrana face a tricky few weeks. They host Mallorca on Friday, before facing Napoli in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. The two sides drew the first leg in Naples, 1-1.