Gerard Piqué Criticized for Stumbling Over 'Viva España' During Spain 2026 World Cup Squad Reveal

Spain announced its squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, prompting reactions from former stars Gerard Piqué and Iker Casillas. Piqué highlighted the large number of Barcelona players and lamented the absence of any Real Madrid representatives, a point that visibly irritated Casillas. When asked to repeat the patriotic chant "Viva España," Piqué hesitated, replying that the phrase had already been said, and later remarked, "Muy bien, ya lo has dicho tú, ya lo ha dicho el chaval." The exchange sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with users mocking Piqué for his apparent difficulty saying the slogan, posting comments such as "Le arde la lengua gritar: ¡Viva España!" and targeting his perceived regional bias.