Gerard Pique: Barcelona icon once saved Diego Costa from himself after red card

Gerard Pique retired from football last November, but the former Barcelona centre-back hasn't been far from the spotlight since hanging up his boots.

The collapse of Pique's relationship with Shakira after more than a decade has made plenty of headlines in recent times, with the beef between the pair being played out in a very public fashion.

Elsewhere, the 102-cap Spanish international is the owner of Spanish second-tier side FC Andorra and also heads up the Kings League, a new innovative seven-a-side tournament that has seen involvement from Sergio Aguero, Javier Hernandez and Iker Casillas.

Even in his last match as a professional, Pique made waves. An unused substitute at the time, the veteran defender decided to aggressively confront referee Jesus Gil Manzano on the pitch at half-time in Barcelona's La Liga clash with Osasuna.

Manzano didn't appreciate Pique's input, to say the least, and brandished a straight red card, denying the player the opportunity to make a final appearance for La Blaugrana.

The Barcelona man's conduct would normally have earned him and six-match ban from Spanish football chiefs. However, due to his retirement, Pique will never actually serve that punishment.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 05: Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona waves to fans as they take part in a lap of honour 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)

Back in 2019, though, Pique did save Diego Costa from getting into further trouble with the same referee after being sent off in a crucial La Liga clash between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou.

With the sides battling it out for the 2018/19 title, the showdown between two of Spain's biggest clubs had plenty riding on it.

The magnitude of the occasion clearly got to the notoriously volatile Costa, who was dismissed by Manzano after 31 minutes for launching a needless foul-mouthed rant against the official.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 06: Diego Costa of Atletico Madrid (L) is restrained by Gerard Pique of Barcelona as he is sent off during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at Camp Nou on April 06, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

At this point, Costa completely lost his head and continued to try and square up to Manzano to protest the decision. The former Chelsea striker was so irate that he was bound to get himself into further disciplinary trouble unless somebody calmed him down.

The problem was that none of his Atleti teammates seemingly fancied the job!

Remarkably, it was left to Pique to be the voice of reason and persuade his ex-Spain international colleague to leave the pitch immediately.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 06: Diego Costa of Atletico Madrid is spoken to by Gerard Pique of Barcelona as he is sent off during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at Camp Nou on April 06, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Even though Costa getting himself into more hot water would have aided Barca's title chances, Pique decided to act to ensure his opponent didn't completely throw himself under the bus.

With nobody else apparently interested in diffusing the situation, Pique went over to Costa and briefly grabbed him by the mouth to try and stop him verbally abusing the referee.

According to a report from AS, Pique then told Costa: "Stop talking now! What do you want, a four-match ban?"

That question appeared to be a wake-up call for Costa, who soon walked towards the tunnel with Pique's arm around the shoulder. Given the stakes of the match, it was a pretty classy gesture from the Barcelona hero.

You can check it out below.

Video: Gerard Pique once went above and beyond to stop Diego Costa from going full Diego Costa during Barcelona v Atletico Madrid

Barcelona went on to win the match 2-0 and ultimately sauntered to the 2018-2019 La Liga crown, eventually finishing 11 points clear of second-placed Atleti.

That triumph was the last of eight titles that Pique would win at Barcelona during his illustrious career with the club.