Carles Puyol Saforcada (born April 13, 1978 in La Pobla de
Segur, Lleida, Catalonia) is a Spanish retired footballer. He had established
himself as one of the best defenders in world football and was a regular in the
Spanish national team. He served as the longtime team captain for his only club
Barcelona after taking over from Luis Enrique in August 2004, going on to
appear in almost 600 official games for the team and win 21 major titles,
notably six La Liga and three UEFA Champions League championships.
Puyol started playing football for his hometown club, as a
goalkeeper. However, after injury problems with his shoulder, he switched to
striker. He said that in his youth, "My parents were skeptical about me
becoming a footballer and encouraged me to study." In 1995, he joined FC
Barcelona's youth system at La Masia, switching positions again, to play as a
defensive midfielder; two years later, he started playing for the club's
B-team, occupying the position of right back.
Carles Puyol went to FC Barcelona B at age 17 in 1996 and in
1999 Coach Louis van Gaal put him into the first team and his debut came on 2
November 1999 against Valladolid, a game FC Barcelona won 0-2. He started as a
regular for Barcelona in the right back position but has very successfully
converted to center-back, and is now regarded as one of the top center-backs in
the world.
Puyol was named Captain (association football) at the end of
the 2003–04 La Liga, after the retirement of Luis Enrique Martínez García. Carles
Puyol continued to be a defensive cornerstone for Barça, being awarded the
"Best European right back" award by UEFA in 2002 and "Best
European centre back" in 2005, 2006 and 2008, as well as receiving the
"UEFA Club Best Defender" trophy in 2006. Puyol helped the FC
Barcelona win an impressive two consecutive league titles in the 2004-2005 and
2005-2006 seasons. In 2005-2006, Puyol helped FC Barcelona win its second
2005–06 UEFA Champions League title, 14 years after the first.
On 16 September 2008, Puyol made Carles Puyol 400th
appearance in all competitions for Barças first team in the 2008–09 UEFA
Champions League match against Sporting Clube de Portugal. In the 2008–09 La
Liga, the Barça captain dealt with injury problems, but still contributed to
the team by appearing in 28 matches and helped to win another league title,
Carles Puyol only goal coming in El Clásico at Real Madrid C.F. on 2 May 2009,
which finished with a resounding 6–2 away win; from 2008–10 combined, other
than the two league titles, Carles Puyol was essential in conquering the 2009
UEFA Super Cup, the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final and the 2009 FIFA Club
World Cup, appearing in nearly 100 official matches. Puyol describes Barça as
"the team who every Catalan child wants to play for... I am living the
dream playing football for Barça and it is my dream to retire playing here
." Carles Puyol scored the only goal in the semifinal against Germany
national football team with a powerful header from a corner taken by Barcelona
teammate Xavi, sending the national team through to their first FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup Final, and scoring Carles Puyol third international goal in
89 matches. In the final, Carles Puyol played the full 120 minutes, as Spain
defeated the Netherlands 1–0 .
Puyol is known for Carles Puyol intense commitment and
ruggedness as a defender. According to Barcelona's head doctor, Puyol is
"the strongest, who has the quickest reactions, and who has the most
explosive strength." Club fans refer to Carles Puyol as "The
Wall".. Middle Eastern fans call Carles Puyol "Lion's
heart".Carles Puyol is also known by some fans in the UK as "Sir
Charles". Miguel Ángel Nadal, who played with Carles Puyol for a short
period of time, said, "Carles plays with maturity, has great positional
sense, and above all, has pride in Carles Puyol shirt ." Carles Puyol said
in 2010, "I don't have Romário's technique, Marc Marc Overmars' pace or
Patrick Patrick Kluivert's strength. But I work harder than the others. I'm
like the student who is not as clever, but revises for Carles Puyol exams and
does OK in the end." Another former team mate said, "Even four goals
down Carles Puyol thinks we can still win."
The departure and possible retirement of the defensive
linchpin, who symbolised everything strong and successful about the modern
Barcelona, marks the end of an era for both the club and the player who spent
his entire career with his beloved blaugrana. "Tarzan," "the
Wall," "Sir Charles"—call him what you will—has enjoyed a
stellar club and country career that has seen him make 682 appearances for
Barcelona (593 for the first team), 100 for Spain, winning six La Ligas in the
process, two Copa del Reys, three Champions Leagues, one World Cup and one
European Championship.
The way he has orchestrated the announcement of his departure
is typical of the man. No fuss, no fanfare, either before, during or after his
announcement. There had been lots of rumours circulating as to his future, but
nothing had been revealed to anyone until Tuesday. Injuries, in particular knee
problems, have taken their toll, the last one being so painful that he
effectively shut himself away from everyone other than those closest to him, so
no one could see the agonies he was going through
If ever proof was needed of how popular Puyol is at Camp Nou,
look no further than when he began his warm up before coming on against AC
Milan in the recent Champions League encounter. If the stadium had a roof, it
would have lifted. Regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation,
Puyol was known for his commanding presence in the air, his composure on the
ball and his intense commitment and ruggedness. You are a heart and soul of Barcelona’s golden
era and Barcelona will always be thankful for your commanding leadership and
legendary status.
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