Real Madrid Fans Reportedly Prepare 'Special' Clasico Welcome for Gerard Pique

Barcelona’s Gerard Pique is the man Madridistas love to hate, and according to reports, the Real Madrid supporters at the Santiago Bernabeu have prepared a “special” welcome for the defender on Saturday when the Blaugrana come to town.

Real Madrid are to host Barcelona in a hotly-anticipated Clasico clash, with the Catalonians three points clear of their great rivals at the summit of La Liga. It’s a game that is often rife with intriguing subplots, and it seems as though the reception Pique is likely to receive during this game will be a key part of the backdrop.

“Madrid fans are preparing a special welcome for Pique,” claim Diario Gol (h/t Sport). “Many of them have started to talk about it on social networks and it will be similar to the day that Luis Figo played at Camp Nou in a Real Madrid shirt.”

David Ramos/Getty Images

As relayed by Sport, Pique has previously revealed facing Los Blancos at the Bernabeu “turns him on,” and it’s also noted in the piece Los Blancos could be fined should the Barcelona man be on the end of too much abuse.

Although the centre-back played a vital part in Spain winning two European championships and the 2010 World Cup, he’s far from liked by those from the capital.

Earlier this season, in response to being heckled across the country while representing Spain, Pique admitted “I always want Real Madrid to lose,” per BBC Sport. Preceding that, the defender has taunted Madrid at title celebrations, referring to rapper Kevin Roldan performing at Cristiano Ronaldo’s birthday party last season after Los Blancos were hammered 4-0 by Atletico Madrid.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Despite Pique being booed as recently as Spain’s friendly against England earlier in the week, Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez is expecting a much more raucous reception for him at the home of Real:

Indeed, Pique has revealed recently he’s expecting it. “What if they whistle me? I expect they will, we've never been well received at the Bernabeu,” he told Mari Carmen Torres of Marca. “But that's normal, there's a very strong sporting rivalry.”

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

It’s the kind of atmosphere in which the very best players thrive. Although Pique can be controversial on occasion, he is one of the finest centre-backs in world football, a composed figure on the pitch and as a serial winner, he has the temperament to brush off what is likely to be a cacophony of boos and whistles.

Indeed, so often in this game it’s the team that better keeps their cool in what is a white-hot atmosphere that takes the spoils. Regardless of the ire he’s subject to on matchday, as one of the senior figures in this team, expect Pique to lead by example. After all, being baited by the Bernabeu is nothing new to him.