Gerard Pique's retirement from Barcelona has not signalled the end of his involvement in football with the former defender creating the Kings League at the end of 2022.
Pique's final years at Camp Nou were split between a declining influence on the pitch, and a growth of investments and business projects off it, before eventually hanging up his boots.
The Kings League is the latest combined brainchild of Pique and his friend — and Twitch streamer — Ibai Llanos, to create a new concept that brings together amateur, professional and former star players.
The league has grown rapidly in popularity, with an estimated 1.3 million online views of matches at the start of 2023, with Pique promising more changes in the coming months.
MORE: Ronaldinho's son joins Barcelona: Who is Joao de Assis Moreira?
What is the Kings League? Rules, teams, format
The Kings League is a seven-a-side football competition. It is divided into two mini seasons, the Summer Split and Winter Split, both of which include 12 teams playing each other once, with the top eight per split moving on into the playoffs.
Each match consists of two 20-minute halves, with all draws settled with a penalty shootout, with six games all played on the same day.
Teams are made up of 10 players, with seven starters plus two additional roster spaces for 'guest players', which can include streamers or former professional stars.
⚽ GOOOOLAZO de @carlos9castro #KingsLeagueJ9 #InfoJobs pic.twitter.com/D41527z7Zm
— Kings League InfoJobs (@KingsLeague) March 5, 2023
Alongside the established rules put in place by Pique and Llanos, social media fans are also allowed to vote on new rules, including some bold additions.
These have included the penalty shootout rule, plus the allowance of handballs for throw-ins, unlimited substitutions and sinbins for yellow and red cards.
The latest fan-decided rule is the inclusion of two 'secret weapons' per team in each game, which can include a penalty kick in their favour, excluding an opposition player for two minutes, goals counting for double for two minutes or the chance to steal the opposition's 'secret weapon'.
Muuuuuy tranquilos con @jespinosa24 #KingsLeagueJ9 #InfoJobs pic.twitter.com/wtCF3OoWYo
— Kings League InfoJobs (@KingsLeague) March 5, 2023
Kings League: Who are the star 'guest players'?
The rule to name an 11th or 12th player in a team has been the major focus of the Kings League so far, with the 11th player required to stay with the team for the full season, while the 12th can be a rotating option.
The 12th player has included some eye-catching former superstars, with team owners/managers relying on their contact list to call up retired and famous names to boost their chances.
Sergio Aguero's Kunisports has featured the former Barcelona and Manchester City forward, alongside his old Argentina colleague Javier Saviola, with Llanos' Porcinos FC including Mexico international Javier Hernandez and Espanyol great Raul Tamudo.
Que lindo volver a disfrutar del fútbol ! @KingsLeague @kunisport ⚽️🤟🏽 pic.twitter.com/fFNXsxpgf8
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) January 17, 2023
Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning captain Iker Casillas is the owner and star name for 1K FC with the former goalkeeper hinting at a few ex-teammates preparing to join him.
However, the excitement has stepped up a gear in recent weeks, with Llanos convincing former Barcelona star and 2002 World Cup winner Ronaldinho to join.
RONALDINHO x PORCINOS FC. @PorcinosFC pic.twitter.com/AE5DVH5o1V
— Ibai (@IbaiLlanos) February 23, 2023
The 42-year-old has been retired from football since 2015, but he accepted Llanos' invitation to take part, under the strict condition that he would not need to run!
Referee: What we do here are 1v1 penalties: You start running from the midfield towards the goalkeeper to try and score.
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) February 26, 2023
Ronaldinho: "Let someone else do it then. I'm not gonna run here. Are you crazy?"
*The refs start cracking up* pic.twitter.com/J1HJbdmcyA
Based on Ronaldinho's incredible ability to carve defences apart, Llanos agreed to his humorous request, with the former playmaker losing out on a penalty shootout to PIO FC on his debut.
Kings League 2023 standings
Below are the final standings for the Kings League 2023, as of March 26, 2023.
| Games Played | Goals Scored | Goal Difference | Points | ||
| 1. | Ultimate Mostoles | 11 | 34 | +7 | 19 |
| 2. | Porcinos FC | 11 | 37 | +11 | 18 |
| 3. | Los Troncos | 11 | 40 | +6 | 18 |
| 4. | Saiyans FC | 11 | 21 | +3 | 18 |
| 5. | Kunisports | 11 | 23 | +1 | 18 |
| 6. | Xbuyer Team | 11 | 25 | 0 | 17 |
| 7. | Aniquiladores | 11 | 29 | -1 | 17 |
| 8. | El Barrio | 11 | 33 | +8 | 16 |
| 9. | 1K FC | 11 | 32 | -2 | 16 |
| 10. | Pio FC | 11 | 27 | -2 | 15 |
| 11. | Rayo de Barcelona | 11 | 27 | -14 | 14 |
| 12. | Jijantes FC | 11 | 23 | -18 | 12 |
The top eight teams qualified for the playoffs which El Barrio ended up winning at Camp Nou on March 26.
They defeated Ultimate Mostoles 3-0 in the quarterfinals, Saiyans FC 4-3 in the semifinals and Aniquiladores 3-0 in the decisivie match.
👑 De octavos a campeones.
— Kings League InfoJobs (@KingsLeague) March 26, 2023
🤞 @elbarrioklk_ es el primer campeón de la Kings League InfoJobs.#KingsLeagueF4 #InfoJobs pic.twitter.com/MQvGUIWQBT
How to watch Kings League 2023
The Kings League is free to watch via live streaming for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Fans can watch games via the Kings League official Twitch channel, alongside options on YouTube and TikTok, plus certain team owners offer live broadcasts on their individual social media channels.
