Pique: “Vinicius told me he was going to join Barca, but then Madrid doubled the offer”

The central defender spoke with Ibai Llanos just days before El Clasico

Photo by DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Ibai Llanos organized an interview with Barcelona center back, Gerard Pique, which streamed live over Twitch. The two discussed Messi’s Balon D’Or chances, Bartomeu, and Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger, Vinicius Junior. It was Pique’s comments on Vinicius Junior, just days before El Clasico, that drew the most attention.

“Yes, I talked to Vinicius personally before he signed for Madrid,” Pique revealed to Ibai. “He told me that his signing for Barca was done.

“I was in contact with Vini to welcome him to the club and those types of things - he even confirmed that he was going to join, but Madrid arrived and doubled the offer.”

Pique’s comments directly contradict what Vinicius Junior had said in an interview last season with Cadena Ser. “Barcelona wanted to pay more, but we wanted the best project. Marcelo and Casemiro spoke to me and helped me decide,” Vinicius told Dejan Kalinic on his decision.

Could Pique be trying to ruffle feathers ahead of the Clasico?