Report: Gerard Pique almost quit Spain after World Cup

Gerard Pique reportedly almost walked away from the Spanish national team following their disappointing showing at the 2014 World Cup.

La Roja failed to make it out of the group stages in Brazil last summer, and Pique was picked out by the Spanish media as one of the biggest under-performers.

The Barcelona defender was dropped for Spain's second group game against Chile following the 5-1 defeat to Netherlands and according to Sport, Pique believes that he was picked as a scapegoat.

The same report claims that the defender was ready to turn his back on international football after the tournament, but talks with head coach Vicente del Bosque changed his mind.

Pique has a strained relationship with sections of the Spain support due to his views on Catalan independence.