Carles Puyol

Carles Puyol i Saforcada (born April 13, 1978 in La Pobla de Segur, Catalonia, Spain) is a Spain/Catalonia football (soccer) who is the current captain (football) of FC Barcelona. He is a regular in the Spain national football team.

Puyol played for Spain at the Football at the 2000 Summer Olympics, 2002 FIFA World Cup, 2004 UEFA European Football Championship and the 2006 FIFA World Cup; Puyol has been cap (sport) over 60 times. He has also played for the unofficial Catalonia national football team in one friendly.

Biography

He 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 October 2, 1999 against Valladolid, a game FC Barcelona won 0-2. He started as a regular for Barcelona in the right back position but has since converted to center-back.

He was first chosen as the captain for FC Barcelona in the 2003-04 season. Puyol has also been called upon to captain the Spain national football team.

May 17, 2006: Barcelona, with Puyol as captain, won the UEFA Champions League, defeating Arsenal FC 2-1 in the final and became the first Catalan captain to raise the UEFA Champions League Trophy.

He was awarded "Best Right-Back in Europe" by UEFA in 2002. He is currently under contract with Barcelona FC till June 30, 2010.

Puyol was awarded the title of UEFA Champions League Defender of the Year 2005-06 on Thursday 24th August 2006.

Playing style

Puyol is a tough, aggressive defender who has the versatility to play both as a full-back and in the centre. His holistic approach makes him a favourite at his club side, FC Barcelona. Puyol is a vital member of Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard's team, and his tactical ability and know-how also means he is not a man to pick up many yellow cards or, indeed, injuries, both of which factors have meant that he is an ever present in both Europe and domestic competition. His attacking mentality is a result of him playing as a striker in the early years in his boyhood club La Pobla de Segur, after injury problems with his shoulders forced him from his original position of goalkeeper. His energy and athleticism is vital in defense, for the high backline, attacking style that Barca plays.

Medals and trophies

FC Barcelona:
- 2006-07 : Spanish Super Cup
- 2005-06 : UEFA Champions League
- 2005-06 : La Liga
- 2005-06 : Spanish Super Cup
- 2004-05 : La Liga

Spain:
- 2000 : Silver medal at Sydney Olympic Games

Profile

Puyol rose up through the ranks at Barcelona to become the defensive leader and crowd favourite at the Camp Nou. Barca’s captain saw his childhood dream come true in 2005 when he led his side to the domestic league title. At international level, he first made a name for himself at the 2000 Olympic Games, where Spain won a silver medal. Puyol was a regular at the 2002 FIFA World Cup™ and UEFA Euro 2004, and he was Spain’s most used defender in 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Trivia

- A player named "Carles Pujol" was one of the eleven sportsmen who gathered in the Solé Gym office with Joan Gamper to discuss the founding of FC Barcelona on November 29, 1899.

- Following the retirement of Luis Enrique and the departure of old guards such as Phillip Cocu, Puyol was chosen as captain through a voting scheme that involved both players and staff alike. Ronaldinho and Xavi - who finished behind him - were rewarded as vice-captains.

- He is an Honorary member of the fundacion Altarriba a Spanish animal protection group that cares for abandoned animals.

- Puyol is often referred as Carlos by Spanish media, despite he constantly stresses his name is indeed Carles.

- He has only ever played one match with the unofficial Catalonia national football team; once the official the Spain national football team called him, he never returned.