GERARD PIQUE is considering coming out of retirement to play for Spain at the World Cup, according to reports.

The Barcelona star initially called it quits after the 2018 tournament in Russia.

Pique announced in October 2016 that the 2018 World Cup would be his final tournament at international level – with many believing that he felt hurt by a "lack of respect" shown by the Spanish press.

Having returned to top form at Barca under old pal Xavi, however, Pique could be set to perform a retirement U-turn.

Spain are currently managed by Pique's former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique.

According to El Mundo, it is yet to be seen whether Enrique would take 103-cap Pique up on his offer to return.

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The 51-year-old has great admiration and respect for Pique, having enjoyed so much success with him in Catalonia.

But he may not want to disrupt the young group that has earned qualification without the veteran centre-back.

Eric Garcia, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Torres and Hugo Guillamon were selected in Enrique's most recent squad.

While he has also picked Diego Llorente, Inigo Martinez, Raul Albiol, Oscar Mingueza and Jorge Cuenca.

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Since he returned to the post in late 2019, Enrique has used 55 players in his team.

He recently illustrated that he is not afraid to upset senior players, by dropping David de Gea from his squad entirely.

The Manchester United stopper was left at home, with Brighton's Robert Sanchez and Brentford's David Raya preferred alongside Unai Simon.

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