Pique: Barca take pride off and on pitch

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has lauded his team’s off-field behaviour and says he is proud to be playing at the club.

The European and La Liga champions’ charity Barcelona Foundation and the Fundacion Pies Descalzos joined forces in February, and announced a grant to the YMCA of Greater Miami on Tuesday.

Pique – whose partner Shakira founded the Fundacion Pies Descalzos in 1997 – said he was delighted with the direction the La Liga outfit was taking.

“I’ve been a Barca fan since I was a kid and I’ve always been proud of my club, but now I feel even prouder and not just because of what happens on the pitch,” he told Barca TV in Florida, where Barcelona’s pre-season programme continued.

“Now, it’s not because we play well, but because I think we behave perfectly off the pitch.”

Taking time out from training, team-mates Pedro, Xavi, Sergio Busquets and David Villa swam with dolphins at the Miami Seaquarium.

Barcelona, who meet Mexico’s CD Guadalajara on Wednesday, are currently preparing for the Supercopa de Espana against Real Madrid.

The first leg will be played at Santiago Bernabeu on August 14, with the return being held at Camp Nou three days later.