Pep Guardiola fined Gerard Pique for kit choice at Barcelona that 'put his health at risk'

A furious Pep Guardiola once fined defender Gerard Pique and made him pay for a team meal after he "put his health at risk" by wearing short sleeves.

The former Barcelona defender, who enjoyed huge success under Guardiola between 2008 and 2012, rarely sported a short-sleeve shirt, especially during the latter stages of his career.

Instead, the Spaniard opted for long sleeve shirts – even in warm conditions. But why?

Pique has opened up on that decision and well, you could say it was partly down to his former manager, who "scolded" the defender after he wore short sleeves on one particular occasion.

Speaking about the incident with Guardiola, Pique said: "Once it was very cold in Barcelona, but I was wearing short sleeves.

"A photo of me in the snow and me in short sleeves appeared. Pep saw it and scolded me, fined me, didn't call me for the game and made me pay for a meal for the team, as I was putting my health at risk."

Since that day, Pique almost abandoned the short sleeve look in favour of long ones. His relationship with Guardiola, meanwhile, "soured" during Pep's final season in charge at the Camp Nou.

That being said, the pair are said to be on good terms now and often meet up.

"I met him in Abu Dhabi and we went for a coffee, I've always had a very close relationship with Pep," the former Manchester United defender told Jordi Wilder on YouTube.

"There are moments of ups and downs. The first three years were a bed of roses but the last one was brutal, I'm sure it was also my fault. You don't know why things start to go wrong, relationships start to go sour.

"It was a very complicated year on a person level. I will always be grateful to him, we have a very good relationship."

Pique wearing short sleeves in 2010- Getty

Back in November 2022, Pique announced he would retire from professional football after their La Liga match against Almeria.

The 36-year-old announced his decision with a video on social media.

"Football has given me everything," said Pique, who won 102 caps for Spain and helped them to victory in the 2010 World Cup.

"Barcelona has given me everything. You, culers (Barcelona fans), have given me everything.

"And now that [this] kid's dreams have come true, I want to tell you that I've decided that now is the time to bring this journey to its end."

Pique broke down in tears after being substituted in his final match as a Barcelona player.