Memphis Depay made his official debut for Barcelona on Sunday night in the game against Real Sociedad (4-2 win), thanks in large part to Gerard Pique. The 34-year-old center defender lost so much salary, creating space to sign Eric García and Depay. In a live session with Ibai Llanos on Twitch after the first competition game, Piqué talks about the conversation he had with Depay.
“I was about to sign my pay cut with the president (Joan Laporta, ed.) and then Memphis showed up. I said to him, ‘Memphis, I’m going to sign and that will allow them to enroll you. Let’s see if you can give me something too’. In any case, he has now given me an assist,” points out Depay’s assist on the opening goal. “Memphis has positively surprised me and is very involved in our game. With that, he can be hugely important in attacking terms.”
Memphis Depay? Gerard Pique ? ????????! ? The first assist from Memphis is a fact and it is gossamer ?? A tailor-made ball, especially for Piqué who handed in his salary for his arrival! ??#ZiggoSport #LaLiga #BarçaRealSociedad pic.twitter.com/uZJ3VBh7F7
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) August 15, 2021
“They contacted the four captains (Piqué, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto, ed.) and we were willing to give up money,” Piqué says about the salary cut. “It was difficult to sign up players, so it was decided that I had to sign now so that the other guys could play. The rest will be made official in the coming days. We have to be grateful to Barcelona, because the club made us great. It is a relief that the other captains are following, because this gives the club more room in the budget to bring in more players and invest.”
Spain kneels before Memphis Depay after ‘espectáculo’: ‘The magician’
The Spanish media praised Memphis Depay’s performance.
“I was born here, grew up here and I am a fan and a player. This is a family, we have to leave everything for that”, continues the centre-back. Pique admits Messi’s departure was hard on him. “I did not expect that. I’ve known him since I was 13 and made us all better. We have to accept it because it is the reality and because we have to move forward. We knew people would be chanting his name now, he has been an important player in history. But things happen and you have to move on. We will be competitive and fight for everything.”