On Pitch: Spain 2018 World Cup Qualifiers Away Kit - Pique Explains Strange Kit That Ultimately Causes National Team Retirement After World Cup

Update: Gerard Pique has declared that he cut off his long sleeve jersey because it fitted not well and not because he did not want to show off the Spanish flag, as previously reported by Spanish newspapers. He additionally also announced that he will retire from the Spanish national team after the 2018 World Cup because of those 'discredit campaigns' by Spanish newspapers, while the most recent story about the kit would have been the straw that breaks the glass. Read the official statement of Spain's football federation.

Spain today debuted their clean new 2018 World Cup Qualifiers away kit in today's match against Albania. And while everything was as expected at first glance, it was Pique's jersey that caught our attention in the match because of its 'strange look'.

Spain 2018 World Cup Qualifiers Away Kit - On-Pitch Debut

Here are some pictures of the Pique's unique Spain 2016-2017 away strip from the match.

Spain's 2018 World Cup Qualifiers away kit features a clean design in white with only subtle red and yellow details (probably only released to avoid kit clashes - more on that later). However, whereas the kit of the likes of Isco and Sergio Ramos was as expected, Pique's shirt stood out because it came without yellow and red details on the sleeve cuffs - because he cut off this part of the jersey (He usually wears long sleeves).

But while Pique's shirt was quite strange and new, the shorts, the socks and the numbers were nothing new and just as those from the Euro.

Happy with the new Spain away kit? What do you think of Pique's version? Do you know the reason why he cut if off? Drop us a line below.