Gerard Pique believes the product of football is outdated and claims he would make ‘radical changes’ in order to make the sport more appealing to youngsters.The 35-year-old ended his playing career this week following a glittering 14-year spell with boyhood club Barcelona.Pique said an emotional goodbye to Barça fans at Camp Nou following Saturday’s La Liga clash against Almeria.He was due to make his final appearance against Osasuna on Tuesday evening but was sent off at half-time following an altercation with referee Jesus Gil Manzano.Read more: Gerard Pique: Barcelona legend faced long ban for savage comments to ref in final game

Gerard Pique: Football needs to make changes

Now officially a retired footballer, Pique made some eyebrow-raising comments during a Twitch conversation with Ibai Llanos on Wednesday night.

While Pique criticised Florentino Perez for his attempts to force through a European Super League in 2021, he does agree with the Real Madrid president’s controversial view that football needs to change.

Per Football Espana, Pique said: “You have to try to modify rules that have been established for many years and change them. I understand that it is difficult. It happens in all sports.

“You have to find a way to attract attention. I see that there is a lot of content on offer, not just sports. You have a few hours and you want to spend them getting as much information as possible.

“You have to create short and exciting products. Ninety minutes seems like a lot to me. Let’s look for rules that are more entertaining. My feeling is that the product of football is outdated.”

Pique added that his son, Milan, loved football but rarely spends a whole 90 minutes watching a game - instead using social media at the same time.

“It is much more difficult to attract the young public,” Pique conceded. “We have to think about it. I would make very radical changes, but people would not have it.”

Gerard Pique with his two children

BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 05: Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona and their children Milan Pique Mebarak and Sasha Pique Mebarak wave to fans after the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and UD Almeria at Spotify Camp Nou on November 05, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

What changes would Gerard Pique make to football?

When asked how he would change football, Pique revealed one of his ideas, which would see an overhaul of extra-time.

The Spaniard said: “Eleven against eleven, an extension of 30 minutes. Say that every three minutes a player from each team comes out, until there is a goal.”

It sounds a little bizarre, doesn’t it? It’s hard to imagine a scenario where you could have three outfield players vs three outfield players at the end of extra-time.

Gerard Pique says he would make radical changes to football

MALLORCA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 01: Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona reacts during the LaLiga Santander match between RCD Mallorca and FC Barcelona at Estadi de Son Moix on October 01, 2022 in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

However, Pique insists that he would keep the penalty shoot-out to decide knockout matches.

“Penalties are a buzz for me,” he added. “Deciding a semi-final of a World Cup with penalties… It’s about creating that buzz. I understand that there are people who say, how am I going to shoot here and risk the future of the country, but I love it.”

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