Former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué, now spearheading the Kings League project set to debut in Turin next week, has opened up about his innovative football venture and a surprising transfer revelation in an interview with Corriere dello Sport.
Piqué described the Kings League as a fusion of eSports and traditional football, designed to captivate younger audiences with its fast-paced, high-intensity format. “We use football because we know it’s the most followed sport in the world, but at the same time, we apply many rules from video games,” Piqué explained. The league features unique elements such as secret cards and a dice roll from the stands that can create two-versus-two situations for two minutes.
The concept arose from Piqué’s realization that he was watching less football on TV during his final years at Barcelona. “We started thinking about how we could create something that could attract young people, involving them more. I must say we’ve hit the mark,” he said. The Kings League has already expanded from Spain to various countries in the Americas, with plans to launch in Italy in January.
Reflecting on his playing career, Piqué spoke fondly of his time under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, describing the coach as a tactical and strategic genius with unparalleled motivational skills. He highlighted the unique combination of homegrown talent and Guardiola’s leadership that led to their incredible success.
In a surprising revelation, Piqué disclosed that he was close to joining Juventus before his return to Barcelona. “In my last year at Manchester, before going to Barça, I was about to move to Juventus. It was 2007,” he shared. However, once he returned to Barcelona, he never considered leaving again.
Piqué’s focus is now firmly on the Kings League, with no immediate plans to return to traditional football roles. “Maybe in the future I’ll return to football doing other things. At this moment I feel focused and comfortable. Being a coach doesn’t interest me, though; twenty years of routine led me to saturation,” he concluded.
