(FILES) This file photo taken on June 07, 2016 shows Spain's defender Gerard Pique eying the ball during the EURO 2016 friendly football match Spain vs Georgia at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez stadium in Getafe, on June 7, 2016, in preparation for the upcoming Euro 2016 European football championship. Under-fire Gerard Pique expressed on October 4, 2017 his pride at playing for Spain, insisting he would continue with the Spanish national team despite his outspoken defence of the independence referendum in Catalonia. / AFP PHOTO / GERARD JULIEN