Gerard Pique Delivers Savage Blow to Real Madrid Following Stunning Copa del Rey Upset

Ex-Barcelona center-back Gerard Piqué seized the chance to mock Real Madrid following their Copa del Rey knockout by second-division club Albacete on Wednesday.

Madrid dismissed previous coach Xabi Alonso earlier this week and handed team leadership to Álvaro Arbeloa, securing the former Castilla manager with a contract extending past the current season to demonstrate their faith in their ex-right-back.

Regrettably for Madrid, Arbeloa's presence on the sideline failed to spark improved performance as his coaching debut resulted in a 3–2 loss and an unexpected Copa del Rey exit in the round of 16.

"Nice start for the new Madrid," Piqué mocked on Twitch following Madrid's devastating defeat.

Piqué's position as a Barcelona icon justifies his eagerness to ridicule their opponents, though it won't help calm the animosity that developed with Arbeloa during their playing days on opposite sides of the Clásico rivalry.

Arbeloa, Piqué Clash Over 'Lack of Respect'

Arbeloa, Piqué Clash Over 'Lack of Respect'

Though Arbeloa and Piqué's individual histories with Madrid and Barcelona make their rivalry unsurprising, the Spanish national squad has consistently faced awkward dynamics when players from the nation's biggest rivals must unite on the international stage.

In fact, Arbeloa and Piqué featured together in 38 matches for Spain, yet they never established rapport and the former Barcelona defender faced backlash in 2015 for stating Arbeloa was "not a friend, just an acquaintance."

After considering his reply for four months, Arbeloa shared with La Galerna: "I could reveal to everyone why Piqué and I aren't friends, but perhaps he wouldn't come off well if I did.

"It's equally true that I'm familiar with his family, and the respect I show them, he doesn't show mine. Our families matter. We endure plenty of nonsense and generally you ignore it, but those around you get hurt."