United will try to make it ‘right’ this time: Pique

YAHOO! SEA EXCLUSIVE

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique knows a thing or two about this Saturday's titanic Champions League final at Wembley.

The 24-year-old Spaniard is in the unique position of having played for both teams -- he was a Manchester United youth trainee from 2004 to 2008 and even made 12 starts in the crimson jersey.

And having spent four seasons with Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils, he knows Barcelona can expect to face a highly-motivated United team come Saturday.

In an exclusive phone interview with Yahoo! Southeast Asia earlier this week, the 1.92m defender believes the Red Devils are gunning to avenge the 2009 Champions League final defeat to Barca. Back then, United was easily swept aside 2-0 through goals from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi.

"I think United have learned many lessons from 2009 and will try to make things right this time. There are no 'favourites' and I think it will be a tough fight because anything can happen in football," he said, before sharing his fond memories playing for United.

"I've always said before that Man United will have a special place in my heart. The days I spent there working to get my name out there in football is something hard to forget," he explained.

"But the Champions League final is something different and it's not about me or my past with Manchester United. We always talk about bringing back the Cup to our fans because it is a special occasion and we are playing against another great team."

If Barcelona defeat United this weekend, it will be their fourth Champions League trophy and it will add to their euphoria from winning a hard-fought La Liga title.

Back then as a youth player in United's reserve squad, Pique failed to make the bench when they won the Champions League in 2008 and was not given a professional contract because of his young age.

But what United spurned was Barcelona's gain after the former Barca youth player re- signed for the Catalans in 2008.

Since then, Pique has picked up an impressive array of awards with the Blaugranas, from their extraordinary six-trophy haul in 2009 to the sensational 2010 World Cup victory with Spain.

This season alone, he scored thrice as Barcelona romped home to their third straight La Liga title. A defensive giant in the centre of the Barcelona backline, Pique is also comfortable on the ball, often surging forward to launch attacks. His swash-buckling style has earned him the nickname "Piquenbauer" -- in reference to German defensive legend Franz Beckenbauer.

Indeed, it's difficult to identify another player on the Barca squad who is a true-bred 'culé' (a term given to Catalan-born players) like Pique.

"I always knew I would return to Barcelona someday, because I started here as a footballer. The club and president values young players," he said.

"But there are many memories whenever I see my friends at Manchester because I also grew up (as a player) in England and learnt many things from Sir Alex Ferguson."

"I had the chance to play with so many great players at United but going back to my childhood team was a dream for me," he added.

Barca's renowned youth system has seen Piqué play alongside fellow La Masia (Barca's youth training academy) graduates like Victor Valdes, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Bojan Krkic, Carles Puyol and Messi.

The friendships he has established with his teammates are of a special kind, and something he believes is only unique to Barca graduates.

"We've known each other since the days at La Masia. Those were memorable days, and things you won't forget. Playing with your childhood friends is a dream and you ask yourself if you need to wake up from it sometimes," he admitted.

Although Barca has faced a gruelling season with four 'El clasicos' against Real Madrid and reports of racism filed against Sergio Busquets, Pique -- who has a reputation for being a 'Prankster' on the team -- believes nothing has changed about Pep Guardiola's men.

"There are always doubts and things are written in the media about us, and how many people disagree with Busquets or maybe (Dani) Alves. But no one is perfect in football. The results are decided by the way you play and not anything else," he said.

Life away from football

In recent months, Pique has been a mainstay on the backpages of the Spanish papers after his high-profile relationship with 34-year-old sultry Colombian singer, Shakira.

The couple have often been photographed out and about in Barcelona together, after meeting at last year's World Cup.

Although he has not publicly spoken about the singer behind songs such as "Hips Don't Lie" and "Whenever, Wherever", he admitted in a TV interview that his favourite song was his "Waka Waka".

In March, he also told Spanish journalists at a fashion event that he was enjoying life at the moment.

"It's a very good year. I'm in love and I'm very happy," Pique said.

What better way to top it off than with another Champions League win?

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The writer is known as Futbolita, the female voice of football and has interviewed some of the world's top football personalities.