Carles Puyol

Carles Puyol i Saforcada (born 13 April 1978 in La Pobla de Segur, Lleida (province), Catalonia) is a Spain Association footballer who plays with FC Barcelona and the Spain national football team.

Mainly a Defender (football) Centre back, Carles Puyol can also appear on Defender (football) Full back, especially as a right back. Carles Puyol also served as a longtime Captain (football), after taking over from Luis Enrique Martínez García.

Club career

Puyol started playing football for Carles Puyol hometown club, La Pobla de Segur, as a Goalkeeper (football). However, after injury problems with Carles Puyol shoulder, Carles Puyol switched to striker. In 1995, Carles Puyol moved to join FC Barcelona's youth team, switching positions again, to play as a Midfielder Defensive midfielder. In 1997, Puyol stepped up to play for FC Barcelona Atlètic, occupying the position of Defender (football) Full back.

In 1999, then coach Louis van Gaal promoted Puyol to the first team. Carles Puyol made Carles Puyol La Liga debut on October 2, 1999, at Real Valladolid, in a 2-0 win. After that, Carles Puyol successfully made another reconversion, now to Defender (football) Centre back; Carles Puyol was awarded "Best European right back" award by UEFA in 2002 and "Best European centre back" in 2005, 2006 and 2008. Puyol also won the trophy "UEFA Club Best Defender" in 2006.

Puyol was first chosen as the captain of Barcelona at the end of the La Liga 2003-04, after the retirement of Luis Enrique Martínez García. On September 16, 2008, Carles Puyol made Carles Puyol 400th appearance in all competitions for the Barça first team in a UEFA Champions League 2008-09 match against Sporting Clube de Portugal.

International career

Puyol won Carles Puyol first Spain national football team cap on November 15, 2000 against the Netherlands national football team, and remained a regular fixture ever since. Carles Puyol played for the nation at the Football at the 2000 Summer Olympics, 2002 FIFA World Cup, 2004 UEFA European Football Championship, 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship.

At Euro 2008, Puyol started thoughout the vast majority of the competition, as the defensive backline only conceded two goals in five games, in an eventual final win against Germany national football team. Carles Puyol was named in the Team of the Tournament with defensive partner Carlos Marchena of Valencia CF.

Puyol started three out of five games at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, and captained the team when Iker Casillas was rested for the last group stage match. As Spain finished third, Carles Puyol and three other teammates were named in the Team of the Tournament.

Additionally, Puyol also appeared regularly for the Catalonia national football team.

Club statistics

As of 27 May 2009

International goals

Honours

Barcelona

- La Liga: La Liga 2004–05, La Liga 2005–06, La Liga 2008–09
- Copa del Rey: Copa del Rey 2008–09
- UEFA Champions League: UEFA Champions League 2005–06, UEFA Champions League 2008–09
- Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006

International

- Sydney Olympic Games Silver Medal : 2000
- UEFA European Football Championship: 2008 UEFA European Football Championship

Individual

- UEFA Team of the Year: UEFA Team of the Year Team of the Year 2002, UEFA Team of the Year Team of the Year 2005, UEFA Team of the Year Team of the Year 2006, UEFA Team of the Year Team of the Year 2008
- UEFA Club Football Awards: 2006
- FIFPro: 2007, 2008
- UEFA Euro 2008 Awards
- FIFA: 2008
- 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Awards