Barcelona's Gerard Pique Says Real Madrid Rival Alvaro Arbeloa 'Deserves His Send-Off'

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has attempted to bury the hatchet with Real Madrid's Alvaro Arbeloa by congratulating his compatriot on his career with Los Blancos, as reported by ​Goal.com

The 33-year-old played his final game in a Real Madrid shirt on Sunday in a 3-2 win over Valencia.

Pique has changed his tone about the player he once called a 'training cone' and once uttered the following remarks about: "a player who has started once in 32 games doesn't deserve a response."

Arbeloa was treated to a tifo from fans and celebrations from teammates and Pique, who exchanged barbs with his former Spain teammate, joined in to wish him well.

"I wish him the best wherever he goes next," Pique said.

"If they have given him a send-off like that, it is because he has deserved it.

​ "Sometimes the tone has been a bit too much and we shouldn't have done it.

"But he's had a great career with some big trophies, including the World Cup, and for wherever he goes I wish him well."

Arbeloa spoke of his pride and what wearing the Real Madrid shirt over the past seven years has meant to him.

"I will come here when I can but in Spain I cannot wear any shirt other than this," he said.

"I have been proud to wear this shirt. It's the best thing that can happen to any player.

"Every second I've spent on this field has been the best of my life."