Carles Puyol

Lore & Background

Born in La Pobla de Segur, Lleida, Catalonia, Puyol started playing football for his hometown club as a goalkeeper, but after injury problems with his shoulder, he became a forward. 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. In 1998, Barcelona accepted an offer from Málaga to sell Puyol, but he refused to leave after seeing his best friend Xavi make his first-team debut.

Louis van Gaal promoted Puyol to the first team the following year, and he made his La Liga debut on 2 October 1999. He successfully made another conversion, to central defender. During the 2003 off-season, Manchester United showed interest in signing Puyol, but no move ever materialised. Two years later, he extended his contract for a further five seasons.

Puyol was named club captain at the end of 2003–04, after the retirement of Luis Enrique. He continued to be a defensive cornerstone for Barça, being awarded the 'Best European right-back' award by UEFA in 2002, and helped the Spaniards win two consecutive league titles. In 2005–06 he appeared in a total of 52 games, including 12 in that season's UEFA Champions League which ended in victory against Arsenal. On 16 September 2008, Puyol made his 400th appearance for Barcelona.

His only goal that league season came against Real Madrid in El Clásico on 2 May 2009 which finished with a 6–2 win, and he celebrated his goal by kissing his Catalan flag captain's armband. He was essential to the team also winning the 2009 Copa del Rey, the 2009 Champions League, the 2009 UEFA Super Cup and the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup to complete an unprecedented sextuple. On 13 November 2010, Puyol played his 500th game in all competitions for Barcelona.

He struggled again with injuries during the 2010–11 campaign, but still appeared in 28 matches, again winning the league and the Champions League. He played the final six minutes in the Champions League final, a 3–1 victory over Manchester United. After the defeat to Inter Milan in the 2009–10 Champions League semi-final, Puyol played in 56 matches for Barcelona without losing, a run that only ended on 11 January 2012 at Osasuna. He also scored two goals in the season's Copa del Rey, against Real Madrid and Valencia.

Reader's Guide

Puyol debuted for the Spanish senior squad on 15 November 2000 against the Netherlands, and remained a regular fixture in the following years. He played for his country at the 2000 Olympics, 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004, 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008, 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup. During the 2002 World Cup, Puyol scored an own goal in the 3–1 victory over Paraguay. In the round of 16 tie against Ireland, he assisted Fernando Morientes; following a 1–1 deadlock after extra-time, his team prevailed following a 3–2 penalty shoot-out victory.

Spain were eliminated in the quarter-finals by co-hosts South Korea, after a 5–3 shoot-out defeat. Puyol started every game except one at Euro 2008, and Spain's defence only conceded two goals in his five games. They won the final against Germany, and he was named in the Team of the Tournament alongside Carlos Marchena. He started in three out of five matches at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, and acted as captain when Iker Casillas was rested for the last group stage fixture; they finished third, and he was included in the Team of the Tournament.

In the 2010 World Cup, Puyol started every match and played almost every minute. He scored the only goal in the semi-final with Germany, a powerful header from a corner taken by Xavi, which sent the national team through to their first World Cup final. In the final, he featured for the full 120 minutes as the side defeated the Netherlands 1–0 in extra time. Spain only conceded two goals throughout the tournament – none of which came in the knock-out stages – also keeping five clean sheets.

He also completed 88% of his passes, the third–highest completion rate of any player in the competition alongside Sergio Busquets, and was named to the team of the tournament. On 1 August 2010, aged 32, Puyol announced that he would continue to represent the national team for at least another two years. He missed Spain's victorious Euro 2012 campaign due to a knee injury. The following year, he was ruled out of the Confederations Cup, once again due to physical problems.

Puyol played his 100th and final international game on 6 February 2013, captaining Spain to a 3–1 friendly victory over Uruguay in Doha, Qatar.

Did You Know?

• He started his football career as a goalkeeper before switching to forward, then defensive midfielder, then right-back, and finally central defender.
• Puyol was Barcelona's captain from August 2004 until his retirement in 2014.