Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has discussed his decision to sign a new contract this week.

The Barcelona players have come out against the club as president Josep Maria Bartomeu is trying to force upon them a pay cut.

"As a captain of the club, I defend the interests of the team," he noted. "The dressing room is united, but people say otherwise. They made the pay cut when players were on international duty, putting us in the same category as all the other workers.

"In a personal capacity, each player is free to accept the club's proposal voluntarily. But I totally disagree with the club forcing players to accept unilaterally."

Pique penned a new deal at Barcelona in the last few days, along with a few other players, and he made it clear that this was in order to help the club financially.

"The club have already said to me and the other players that due to the pandemic the club will suffer a lot economically, and that in this situation, the club comes first," Pique explained.