Gerard Pique has been quoted today as complaining of the financial support Real Madrid receive in building a squad to compete with Barcelona.
Los Blancos have spent close to €200m this summer as they look to bridge the gap in the League table to the Catalans.
For one of Barca’s defenders, though, the support they receive in financing these deals through loans from Bankia does not sit well.
“I read that since 2002, Madrid has spent €1200m,” Pique is quoted by the Gazzetta dello Sport.
“We have also spent, but we do not have Bankia.
“We still have Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Valdes, Busquets, Pedro, it is a generation that has cost nothing.
“It is our key to compete with Madrid. We bought Ibra, Villa, Neymar, but each year, what we do not do, having not won anything for a while, is sign Bale, Illarramendi, Isco…”
Pique also discussed with the Italian publication the debate over whether last season was a success for Barca or not.
“Barca historically did not win much. Then we started to win everything and now a season with only the League is not mediocre, complicated.
“I do not see it – we are the only team in the world for months without a Coach and who are able to lead Madrid by 15 points.
“Xavi’s words have been misinterpreted – a team that does not work does not win 100 points in the League.”