The Sweden striker has scored 14 league goals in 28 games for his club, but was sent off at the weekend after insulting the assistant referee during Milan’s 2-1 win at Fiorentina.
It was his second red card in a row after just returning from a previous ban, following his punch on Bari’s Marco Rossi last month.
The 29-year-old has received a three-game ban for his actions which the club have appealed, but Pique, his former Blaugrana team-mate feels there is something behind the recent tension.
“I think at the moment everyone wants to play for Barcelona and this is what is burning Ibrahimovic,” Pique told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I don’t think he did anything wrong. He scored plenty of goals and we won the league together.
“It’s just that Pep Guardiola made a choice. The previous year he thought Ibrahimovic would suit our play better. This year he went for David Villa.
“I don’t think Ibrahimovic was a failure.”
Barcelona and Milan both top the table in their respective leagues.
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Gerard Pique: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Is Frustrated Because He Is Not At Barcelona