Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said he is far from the best defender in the world, following Spain s elimination at the World Cup.
Over the past few years, Pique s name has regularly been mentioned when the question of Who is the best defender in the world? is raised.
But Pique s reputation has suffered over the past 12 months.
After playing in Spain s first match in Brazil, which they lost 5-1 to Netherlands, the 27-year-old central defender was dropped for the following match against Chile and was left out for their win over Australia due to a thigh strain.
Spain returned home in disgrace, while the World Cup debacle for the 2010 champions was yet another blow to Pique and his Barcelona team-mates, who finished the 2013-14 season with just the Supercopa de Espana in the trophy cabinet.
After such a period, Pique insisted he has dropped down the global pecking order of defenders but hopes new Barcelona coach Luis Enrique can help him rise again.
Right now I m not even top three in the world, Pique said at a media conference on Thursday.
I can t be for the season I had with Barca and the World Cup with the national team.
I know that to play at Barca I have to be among the top three in the world.
I also know that I can regain form and I will do. But if I can t live up to the highest standards, I m the first to raise my hand and say I can t.
I m convinced that Enrique will help me and I ll get my level up again.
Pique did not shy away from declaring last season as a failure for Barcelona but insisted the Catalan club do not have to bridge a large gap to again challenge the likes of reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.
It was a failure. Barca only won the Supercopa de Espana. We failed in the Copa del Rey and the league ended up worse, he said.
But it s clear that if we can improve we will be close to the trophies, if done with humility and hard work.
Barca have the ingredients to do something great.
