Carles Puyol

Carles Puyol Saforcada (Catalan: [ˈkaɾləs puˈjɔl səfuɾˈkaðə], Spanish: [ˈkaɾles puˈʝol safoɾˈkaða]; born 13 April 1978) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played his entire career for Barcelona. He mainly played as a central defender, but he could also play in either full-back position, mostly as a right-back.[4] Praised for his defensive qualities and leadership, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders and captains of all time.[5][6] Puyol's abilities and prowess on the field earned him the nickname of "El Tiburón" ('The Shark') by teammates and fans.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Puyol and the second or maternal family name is Saforcada.
Carles Puyol
Puyol at the 2020 Goya Awards
Personal information
Full name Carles Puyol Saforcada[1]
Date of birth (1978-04-13) 13 April 1978[2]
Place of birth La Pobla de Segur, Spain
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[3]
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
1992–1995 Pobla de Segur
1995–1997 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996 Barcelona C 1 (0)
1997–1999 Barcelona B 89 (6)
1999–2014 Barcelona 392 (12)
Total 482 (18)
National team
1995 Spain U18 3 (0)
2000 Spain U21 4 (0)
2000 Spain U23 5 (0)
2000–2013 Spain 100 (3)
2001–2013 Catalonia 6 (0)
Honours
Men's football
Representing  Spain
Olympic Games
2000 Sydney
UEFA European Championship
Winner2008 Austria-Switzerland
FIFA World Cup
Winner2010 South Africa
FIFA Confederations Cup
2009 South Africa
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He was Barcelona's captain from August 2004 until his retirement in 2014, and appeared in 593 competitive matches for the club. He won 18 major club titles, including six La Liga trophies and three Champions Leagues.

Puyol won 100 caps for Spain, and was part of the squads that won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. In the 2010 World Cup semi-final, he scored the only goal of the game against Germany.[7]

Club career

Born in La Pobla de Segur, Lleida, Catalonia,[8] Puyol started playing football for his hometown club as a goalkeeper, but after injury problems with his shoulder. he became a forward. He said that in his youth, "My parents were skeptical about me becoming a footballer and encouraged me to study".[9] 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.[10]

In 1998, Barcelona accepted an offer from Málaga to sell Puyol, who was behind Frank de Boer and Michael Reiziger in the pecking order. However, he refused to leave after seeing his best friend Xavi make his first-team debut.[11]

Louis van Gaal promoted Puyol to the first team the following year, and he made his La Liga debut on 2 October 1999 in a 2–0 away win against Real Valladolid. After that he successfully made another conversion, to central defender. During the 2003 off-season, as Barcelona was immersed in a financial crisis, Manchester United showed interest in signing Puyol,[12] but no move ever materialised. Two years later, he extended his contract for a further five seasons.[13]

Puyol (downright) lining up for Barcelona, alongside Ronaldinho, Rafael Márquez, Xavi and Samuel Eto'o.

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 (amongst other individual accolades), and helped the Catalans 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, the club's second European Cup.[14]

On 16 September 2008, Puyol made his 400th appearance for Barcelona in a Champions League group stage match against Sporting CP.[15] In the league season, despite injury problems, he appeared in 28 matches and helped them win another league title. His only goal came against Real Madrid in El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu on 2 May 2009 which finished with a resounding 6–2 win,[16] and he celebrated his goal by kissing his Catalan flag armband in front of the incensed Madrid fans.[17] 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, appearing in nearly 100 official matches.[9][18]

Puyol as Barcelona captain (wearing his Catalan flag armband) in 2008

On 13 November 2010, Puyol played his 500th game in all competitions for Barcelona in a domestic league match against Villareal.[19] He struggled again with injuries during the 2010–11 campaign,[20][21][22] 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 at the Wembley Stadium.[23]

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 (2–3 loss).[24] He also scored two goals in the season's Copa del Rey, against Real Madrid and Valencia.[25][26]

On 2 October 2012, in the late stages of a Champions League group stage encounter at Benfica, his first game upon recovering from a knee ligament injury suffered against Getafe, Puyol dislocated his elbow after landing awkwardly in a corner kick challenge. He was initially expected to be sidelined for two months[27] but fully recovered in one.[28] On 18 December Barcelona renewed his contract, extending it until 30 June 2016.[29] In June of the following year he again underwent surgery on his right knee, his sixth operation as a professional,[30] which led to thoughts of early retirement.[31]

Puyol playing for Barcelona in 2011

On 2 March 2014, Puyol surpassed Migueli to go second in Barça's all-time league appearances table, behind only Xavi, and scored the third goal in a 4–1 home win against Almería.[32] Two days later, although he still had two more years in his contract, he announced that he would leave Barcelona at the end of the season.[33] He said "After my last two major operations, I find it is taking me a lot of effort to reach the level required here, even more than myself and the surgeons thought necessary. That's the reason I have reached this decision".[34]

Barcelona bid farewell to Puyol on 15 May 2014, after a fifteen-year career in the first team (ten as captain) that brought him 21 titles. At a packed Auditori 1899, his teammates, ex-teammates, presidents and coaches paid tribute to him, and he said "I’ve lived the dream of so many young kids, doing what I most enjoy in life, playing football and training".[35] He announced his retirement shortly after at the age of 36 but stayed with his only club; he was immediately appointed director of football Andoni Zubizarreta's assistant.[36] He resigned in January 2015, shortly after Zubizarreta was fired.[37]

In September 2019, Puyol rejected an offer to become Barcelona's sporting director.[38]

International career
Puyol champion of the FIFA world cup with Spain
Puyol playing for Catalonia in a 2009 friendly match against Argentina at Camp Nou.

Puyol won his first cap for Spain on 15 November 2000 against the Netherlands,[39] and remained a regular fixture in the following years. He played for his country at the 2000 Olympics, 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004,[40] 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008, 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup.[41]

During the 2002 World Cup, Puyol scored an own goal in the 3–1 win over Paraguay in the group stages.[42] 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.[43] Spain were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the competition by co-hosts South Korea, after a 5–3 shoot-out defeat.[44]

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 his defensive partner, Carlos Marchena of Valencia.[45] 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;[46] they finished third, and he was included in the Team of the Tournament with four of his teammates.[47]

In the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Puyol started every match and played almost every minute (he was replaced by Marchena in the 84th minute of the quarter-final against Paraguay).[48] He scored the only goal in the semi-final with Germany, a powerful header from a corner taken by Barcelona teammate Xavi, which sent the national team through to their first World Cup final.[49] In the final, he featured for the full 120 minutes as the side defeated the Netherlands 1–0 in extra time.[50] Spain only conceded two goals throughout the tournament – none of which came in the knock-out stages – also keeping five clean sheets, a record for a World Cup–winning team, shared with the 2006 Italy side and 1998's France. He also completed 88% of his passes, the third–highest completion rate of any player in the competition alongside his teammate Sergio Busquets, and was named to the team of the tournament for his performances.[51][52]

On 1 August 2010, aged 32, Puyol announced that he would continue to represent the national team for at least another two years.[53] He missed Spain's victorious Euro 2012 campaign due to a knee injury sustained in a league game against Espanyol in early May, which required surgery and five to six weeks' recuperation.[54] The following year, he was ruled out of the Confederations Cup, once again due to physical problems.[55]

Puyol played his 100th and final international on 6 February 2013, captaining Spain to a 3–1 friendly win over Uruguay in Doha, Qatar.[56][57]

Style of play

"Puyol is the key, not just because he is one of the best defenders in the world but because of his character. He never lets up."

 —Xavi[58]

Puyol is regarded as one of the best defenders and captains of all time.[5][6] Mainly a central defender, he was a versatile player who could also feature on either flank, mostly as a right-back, in particular in the first part of his career.[59][60][61] He also initially played as a defensive midfielder in his early career,[62] and had previously even been deployed as goalkeeper and striker in his youth.[63][64]

Described as a "no–nonsense" player,[62] Puyol was known for his commanding presence in the air despite his modest stature, as well as his ability to read the game, and his intense commitment and ruggedness as a defender, in particular when challenging for the ball. According to Barcelona's head doctor, he was "the strongest, who has the quickest reactions, and who has the most explosive strength."[11][60][65][66] In 2006, Simon Talbot of The Guardian described Puyol as: "Barcelona's very own Captain Caveman, playing football with his heart on his sleeve and his hair in his eyes, throwing himself about the pitch and launching wholeheartedly into kamikaze tackles like a hyperactive, lunatic kid."[65] Club fans referred to him as "The Wall".[67]

Puyol was also known for his leadership and work ethic. He often continued training alone after the end of a team practice session or on days off.[58] He said in 2010, "I don't have Romário's technique, [Marc] Overmars' pace or [Patrick] Kluivert's strength. But I work harder than the others. I'm like the student who is not as clever, but revises for his exams and does OK in the end."[11] Although his positioning, leadership and ability to organise his defence were initially cited as weaknesses early on in his career, he worked to improve on these aspects of his game throughout his time with Barcelona.[58][68] Indeed, Miguel Ángel Nadal, who played with him for a short period of time, later said, "Carles plays with maturity, has great positional sense, and above all, has pride in his shirt."[11] A physical yet fair player, he was also known for his anticipation, strength, aggression, determination, discipline, intelligence and concentration as a defender, as well as his man-marking skills and ability to organise his defence; he also excelled in one on one situations.[62][68][69][70][71][72][73]

Fellow defender Gerard Piqué said: "He's someone who, even if you're winning 3–0 and there's a few seconds left in the game will shout at the top of his voice at you if he thinks your concentration is going."[70] A former team-mate said, "Even four goals down he thinks we can still win",[58] and another described him as "a pain in the arse" but added "that's exactly what we need".[58][60][74]

Although Puyol was predominantly known for his defensive skills, and albeit not being as talented or naturally gifted as other players who also came out of Barcelona's youth system,[11][60][69][70] he possessed solid technique, and was also known for his composure on the ball as well as his passing ability, despite tending to favour safer or simpler passes rather than riskier ones when playing out from the back.[64][75][76][77][78] As such, throughout his career, he was often deployed alongside a ball-playing centre-back such as Piqué; together, they formed an effective central-defensive partnership, both with Barcelona and Spain, with the former's physical defending complementing the latter's more elegant playing style.[70][79][80][81]

In his youth, Puyol was also known to be a quick and energetic right-sided defender, who had a penchant for getting forward as well as chasing down his opponents;[66][69][70][82] however, he lost his pace with age.[69][83] This became particularly noticeable in his later career, when he was usually deployed in the centre, in part due to a series of recurring knee injuries, which limited his playing time and affected his physical condition, eventually forcing him to retire prematurely.[60][84][85][86][87][88][89]

Personal life
Puyol at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final, alongside supermodel Gisele Bündchen

Puyol's long shaggy hair was a distinctive feature throughout his career. Barcelona manager Van Gaal suggested he get it cut when the player was 19, immediately after his first training session with the senior players. Van Gaal asked him in his office, "What's your problem, can't you afford the money for a haircut?" Puyol recalled: "I said nothing, and to this day have kept my hair as it is."[11][90]

In 2006, Puyol said that when not working, he leads "a very quiet life... I've not been to a nightclub in Barcelona for years either. When I go out, I stay in a restaurant with my friends."[9]

Puyol's father, Josep, died in a farming accident in late 2006 while Carles was on his way to play a match against Deportivo de La Coruña. He was informed of the news by coach Frank Rijkaard upon landing.[91] He said that this, combined with an injury led to a dark period, with Spain national team physio Raúl Martínez eventually coming to Barcelona: in the player's words, "...[he] gave me a great telling off. He made me react, and I began to try to be more cheerful, and not overwhelmed by it all."[92]

In March 2009, Puyol told Goal.com: "I do not like to go out much, although it is good to disconnect and I like to read."[93] In September 2010, he started a relationship with model Malena Costa. In October of that year, he scored through a header in a 2–1 home win against Valencia CF and dedicated the goal to her by making a heart symbol with both hands. After the game, he said: "I dedicate the goal to my girlfriend."[94]

In 2011, Puyol paid €30,000 for specialist private treatment for Miki Roqué, a footballer from his home province who was suffering from pelvic cancer. Roqué died in 2012.[95]

Puyol started a relationship with Vanesa Lorenzo in 2012. The couple had two daughters, Manuela (born 2014) and María (2016).[96][97]

Puyol was invited by Iranian television channel IRIB TV3 to provide commentary on the 2018 FIFA World Cup match between Iran and Spain on 20 June in a programme hosted by Adel Ferdosipour but was not allowed in the studio. According to news website Entekhab, the former player said that he had been told by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting that he could not appear in the programme "because of his looks (long hair)"; the veteran channel director had been replaced by one closer to Iran's ultra-religious hardliners weeks before, and this incident ultimately led to some ridicule within Iran on Twitter.[98]

On 9 October 2022, Iker Casillas tweeted that he was gay, before later deleting the tweet. He said he was hacked and apologised.[99][100] Puyol replied to the tweet in a joking manner, and later apologised for doing so.[101]

Career statistics

Club
Source:[102][103][104]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Copa del Rey Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Barcelona C 1995–96 Segunda División B 10—10
Barcelona B 1996–97 Segunda División 11—11
1997–98 Segunda División B 423—423
1998–99 Segunda División 382—382
1999–2000 Segunda División B 80—80
Total 896—896
Barcelona 1999–2000 La Liga 240508[lower-alpha 1]000370
2000–01 La Liga 170205[lower-alpha 2]0—240
2001–02 La Liga 3521015[lower-alpha 1]0—512
2002–03 La Liga 3200014[lower-alpha 1]0—460
2003–04 La Liga 270407[lower-alpha 3]0—380
2004–05 La Liga 360108[lower-alpha 1]0—450
2005–06 La Liga 3513012[lower-alpha 1]02[lower-alpha 4]0521
2006–07 La Liga 351709[lower-alpha 5]14[lower-alpha 6]0552
2007–08 La Liga 3007010[lower-alpha 1]1—471
2008–09 La Liga 2816011[lower-alpha 1]0—451
2009–10 La Liga 3212010[lower-alpha 7]04[lower-alpha 8]0481
2010–11 La Liga 171208[lower-alpha 1]000271
2011–12 La Liga 263729[lower-alpha 1]02[lower-alpha 9]0445
2012–13 La Liga 131514[lower-alpha 1]000222
2013–14 La Liga 51611[lower-alpha 1]000122
Total 39212584131212059318
Career totals 48218584131212068324
  1. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Cup
  3. Appearances in UEFA Cup
  4. Appearances in Supercopa de España
  5. One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, eight appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League
  6. Two appearances in Supercopa de España, two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
  7. One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, eight appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League
  8. Two appearances in Supercopa de España, two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
  9. Appearances in FIFA Club World Cup

International
Source:[7]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Spain 200010
200140
2002101
200380
2004100
2005100
2006100
200750
2008141
200980
2010141
201140
201210
201310
Total1003
Source:[7]
List of international goals scored by Carles Puyol
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
117 April 2002Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland Northern Ireland0–40–5Friendly
211 October 2008A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia Estonia0–30–32010 FIFA World Cup qualification
37 July 2010Moses Mabhida, Durban, South Africa Germany0–10–12010 FIFA World Cup

Honours

Barcelona

Spain U23

  • Summer Olympic silver medal: 2000[71]

Spain

Individual

Decorations

  • Prince of Asturias Awards: 2010[133]
  • Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit: 2011[134]

See also
  • List of footballers with 100 or more UEFA Champions League appearances
  • List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
  • List of one-club men in association football

References
  1. "FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: List of Players: Spain" (PDF). FIFA. 4 June 2010. p. 29. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2020.
  2. "Carles Puyol Saforcada". El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  3. "Carles Puyol". FC Barcelona. Archived from the original on 23 November 2006. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  4. "Carles Puyol". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  5. "Top 10 - Inspirational Captains". beIN SPORTS. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  6. Hosangadi, Aditya (6 May 2020). "20 Best defenders of all time". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  7. "Carles Puyol Saforcada – Century of International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  8. López, Antoni (15 May 2014). "Carles Puyol: La Pobla de Segur reivindica el carácter y la fortaleza de su hijo más universal" [Carles Puyol: La Pobla de Segur claims character and strength of its most universal son]. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  9. Mitten, Andy (14 May 2006). "Puyol's love of labour not lost on fans". The Independent. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  10. "Carles Puyol, el eterno capitán del mejor Barça de la historia" [Carles Puyol, the eternal captain of the best Barça in history]. Todo Blaugrana (in Spanish). 13 April 2019. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  11. Lyttleton, Ben (9 July 2010). "Puyol anchors Spanish defense with combination of hard work, grit". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  12. "Man Utd move for Puyol". BBC Sport. 10 August 2003. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  13. "Barca skipper Puyol pens new deal". BBC Sport. 22 September 2005. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  14. "Barcelona 2–1 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 17 May 2006. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  15. "The captain makes it to 400 games". FC Barcelona. 16 September 2008. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2008.
  16. Lowe, Sid (2 May 2009). "Barcelona run riot at Real Madrid and put Chelsea on notice". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  17. "Real Madrid-Barcelona: Celebrations in enemy territory". Marca. 24 April 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  18. "Sextuple winning sides to receive tribute at Camp Nou". FC Barcelona. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  19. "Carles Puyol: number 500". Total Barça. 13 November 2010. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014.
  20. "Puyol injury shock". FC Barcelona. 1 September 2010. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  21. "Barcelona lose Puyol to groin injury". ESPN Soccernet. 30 December 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  22. "Knee surgery for Barca captain Puyol". ESPN Soccernet. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  23. McNulty, Phil (28 May 2011). "Barcelona 3–1 Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  24. "50 games straight without losing with Puyol on the pitch". FC Barcelona. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  25. "Barca fight back at the Bernabeu". ESPN Soccernet. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  26. "Valencia – FC Barcelona: Draw with some shine (1–1)". FC Barcelona. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  27. "Elbow injury sends Puyol back to Barça sidelines". UEFA. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  28. "Puyol recibe el alta seis semanas después de la luxación en el codo" [Puyol is released six weeks after elbow sprain]. 20 minutos (in Spanish). 16 November 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  29. "Barça has renewed the contracts of Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernández and Leo Messi". FC Barcelona. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  30. Ortuño, Xavier (18 June 2013). "Carles Puyol, cuando el quirófano es el salón de casa" [Carles Puyol, when surgery room is the living room]. Sport (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  31. "Retirement on Puyol's mind after surgery". FIFA. 31 May 2013. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  32. "Puyol moves second in Barça league appearances list". Marca. 2 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  33. "Carles Puyol announces he is leaving FC Barcelona at the end of the season". FC Barcelona. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  34. "Puyol announces he is to leave Barcelona". UEFA. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  35. "Puyol: "I came here as a boy and I leave with a family"". FC Barcelona. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  36. Polo, Fernando; Poquí, Joan (31 May 2014). "Carles Puyol será el 'segundo' de Zubizarreta" [Carles Puyol to be Zubizarreta's 'second']. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  37. Adams, Tom (6 January 2015). "Carles Puyol resigns as Barcelona sack director of football Andoni Zubizarreta". Eurosport. Discovery. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  38. "Barcelona: Carles Puyol rejects sports director offer". BBC Sport. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  39. Martín, Luis (9 July 2010). ""Sabía que iba a ser gol"" [I knew it was going in]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  40. Modia, Iván (20 May 2004). "Sáez selects Spain squad". UEFA. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  41. "Del estreno goleador de Puyol al testarazo histórico a Alemania" [From Puyol's scoring debut to historical header to Germany]. Eurosport (in Spanish). Discovery. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  42. Ingle, Sean (7 June 2002). "Spain 3–1 Paraguay". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  43. Ingle, Sean (16 June 2002). "Ireland 1–1 Spain (Spain win 3–2 on pens)". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  44. "Korean dream lives on". BBC Sport. 22 June 2002. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  45. García, Óscar (30 June 2008). "Xavi, elegido jugador de la Eurocopa 2008" [Xavi, voted player of Euro 2008]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  46. Maroto, Joaquín (22 June 2009). "Sin Casillas, Xavi le cedió la capitanía a Puyol" [Without Casillas, Xavi gave captaincy to Puyol]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  47. "Puyol, Capdevila, Villa y Torres, en el once ideal de la web en la FIFA" [Puyol, Capdevila, Villa and Torres, in FIFA's web All-Star IX]. Marca (in Spanish). 30 June 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  48. "Villa saves Spain after penalty drama". ESPN Soccernet. 3 July 2010. Archived from the original on 6 July 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  49. "Puyol heads Spain into final". ESPN Soccernet. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  50. Fletcher, Paul (11 July 2010). "Netherlands 0–1 Spain (aet)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  51. "Spain's 2010 conquerors in numbers". FIFA. 22 August 2017. Archived from the original on 7 June 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  52. "Spaniards dominate All-Star Team". FIFA. 15 July 2010. Archived from the original on 18 July 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  53. "Puyol to keep playing for Spain". The New York Times. 2 August 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  54. "Puyol facing fitness fight". ESPN Soccernet. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  55. "Soccer-Barca's Puyol to have further knee surgery". Chicago Tribune. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  56. Aldunate, Ramiro (6 February 2013). "Campeón hasta en los simulacros" [Champions even in drills]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  57. Lara, Miguel Ángel (6 February 2013). "100 veces Puyol" [100 times Puyol]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  58. Lowe, Sid (29 April 2008). "Puyol returns to give Barcelona lift and leadership". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  59. "Carles Puyol". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  60. Corrigan, Dermot (27 August 2014). "Carles Puyol: The inspiring leader". ESPN. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  61. "Pep Guardiola praises Carles Puyol after Barcelona continue winning run". The Guardian. 31 January 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  62. Rigg, Nicholas (5 March 2014). "Carles Puyol: The raggy-haired Barcelona defender who even gained the respect of the Real Madrid faithful". The Independent. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  63. Atkinson, Tre' (1 March 2014). "Ranking the best seasons of Carles Puyol's Barcelona career". Bleacher Report. Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  64. Hughes, Rob (8 July 2010). "Puyol, a star on defense, wins it with offense". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  65. Talbot, Simon (17 May 2006). "Barça's indestructible warrior ready for the battle of his life". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  66. Marcotti, Gabriele (17 May 2010). "Pep Guardiola shows his genius with ability to get more from great team". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  67. Hughes, Rob (8 July 2010). "Puyol, a star on defense, wins it with offense". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  68. "Explosive Mourinho report in 2006 of Rijkaard's Barcelona: What he thought of Ronaldinho, Puyol, Iniesta and Messi". Marca. 18 March 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  69. "I migliori difensori nell'uno contro uno (2000–2020)" [The best one-on-one defenders (2000–2020)]. L'Ultimo Uomo (in Italian). 29 April 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  70. Hawkey, Ian (11 July 2010). "Defending the caveman". Sunday Times. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  71. "Carles Puyol Saforcada". FC Barcelona. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  72. Hayward, Ben (29 November 2011). "Missing in action – Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has been absent in all of the Catalans' last six defeats". Goal. Perform Group. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  73. "Meet Spain's 2010 World Cup team". Fox Sports. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  74. Jenson, Pete (4 March 2014). "Carlos Puyol announcement: No obvious successor for Barcelona legend and master of reinvention". The Independent. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  75. Matchett, Karl (15 April 2014). "Steven Gerrard and 20 inspirational captains in European football". Bleacher Report. Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  76. Netto, Brendon (5 July 2013). "Why Barcelona's relentless pursuit of Thiago Silva is backed by the right intentions". Goal. Perform Group. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  77. Stejskal, Sam (18 May 2016). "Sueño MLS: Tenacious Carlos Amaya overcomes size concerns en route to final". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  78. Pettigrove, Jason (13 May 2013). "Tales of Carles Puyol's decline at Barcelona have been greatly exaggerated". Bleacher Report. Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  79. Atkins, Christopher (30 July 2013). "Ranking the 20 best defenders in world football". Bleacher Report. Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  80. Macdonald, Paul (4 March 2014). "Puyol is football's last pure defender". Goal. Perform Group. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  81. Lowe, Sid (26 May 2011). "Gerard Piqué and Carles Puyol: Barcelona's perfect partners in prime". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  82. "FC Barcelona transfers: Could David Luiz be the man to replace Carlos Puyol?". Bleacher Report. Turner Broadcasting System. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  83. Sebastian, Adi-Oula (2 November 2010). "Top 10 all-time Barcelona defenders: Do Puyol and Pique make the list?". Bleacher Report. Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  84. Palmer, Justin (6 March 2014). "Barca without Puyol and Pique for Valladolid trip". Reuters. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  85. Leong, KS (27 October 2011). "Shutting up shop – why Spain need Carles Puyol to defend their European Championship crown". Goal. Perform Group. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  86. Hunter, Graham (23 May 2011). "Possession paramount for Barcelona aces". UEFA. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  87. Sebastian, Adi-Oula (3 November 2010). "FC Barcelona: Tiki Taka or quite simply the beautiful game". Bleacher Report. Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  88. "Puyol: Injuries could end career". Football España. 31 May 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  89. "Barcelona great Carlos Puyol retires". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  90. "Carles Puyol". FIFA. Archived from the original on 14 June 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  91. Visa, Lluís; Hermida, Xosé (4 November 2006). "Puyol es baja tras la muerte de su padre en un accidente" [Puyol out after his father died in accident]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  92. Martín, Luís (15 November 2010). "500 más y lo deja" [500 more and he's through]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  93. Brown, Lucas (15 March 2009). "Carles Puyol on life, leadership and trophies at Barcelona". Goal. Perform Group. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  94. "Picture of the day: Celebrations". Total Barça. 18 October 2010. Archived from the original on 21 October 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  95. "Carles Puyol costeó el tratamiento de Miki Roqué" [Carles Puyol paid for Miki Roqué's treatment]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 25 June 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  96. "Carles Puyol's daughter Manuela is born". FC Barcelona. 25 January 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  97. "Puyol anuncia el nacimiento de su hija María" [Puyol announces birth of his daughter María]. Sport (in Spanish). 7 January 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  98. Rannard, Georgina (23 June 2018). "World Cup 2018: Footballer's hair 'too wild' for Iranian TV". BBC News. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  99. "Iker Casillas: Former Real Madrid goalkeeper deletes Twitter post announcing he is gay". Sky Sports.
  100. "Casillas deletes 'I'm gay' tweet saying he was hacked" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  101. "Why Casillas' 'I'm gay' tweet was no laughing matter" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  102. "In-depth look at Carles Puyol's career". FC Barcelona. 3 April 2014. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  103. "Puyol: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  104. "Carles Puyol - Spain". Besoccer. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  105. "Barcelona 2004–05: Statistics". BDFutbol. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  106. "Barcelona 2005–06: Statistics". BDFutbol. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  107. "Barcelona 2008–09: Statistics". BDFutbol. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  108. "Barcelona 2009–10: Statistics". BDFutbol. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  109. "Barcelona 2010–11: Statistics". BDFutbol. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  110. "Barcelona 2012–13: Statistics". BDFutbol. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  111. "Acta del partido celebrado el 13 de mayo de 2009, en Valencia" [Minutes of the match held on 13 May 2009, in Valencia] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  112. "Acta del partido celebrado el 13 de agosto de 2005, en Sevilla" [Minutes of the match held on 13 August 2005, in Seville] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
    "Acta del partido celebrado el 20 de agosto de 2005, en Barcelona" [Minutes of the match held on 20 August 2005, in Barcelona] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  113. "Espanyol 0–1 Barcelona". BDFutbol. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
    "Acta del partido celebrado el 20 de agosto de 2006, en Barcelona" [Minutes of the match held on 20 August 2006, in Barcelona] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  114. "Acta del partido celebrado el 16 de agosto de 2009, en Bilbao" [Minutes of the match held on 16 August 2009, in Bilbao] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
    "Acta del partido celebrado el 23 de agosto de 2009, en Barcelona" [Minutes of the match held on 23 August 2009, in Barcelona] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  115. "Acta del partido celebrado el 14 de agosto de 2010, en Sevilla" [Minutes of the match held on 14 August 2010, in Seville] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
    "Acta del partido celebrado el 21 de agosto de 2010, en Barcelona" [Minutes of the match held on 21 August 2010, in Barcelona] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  116. "2005/06, Final: Barcelona 2–1 Arsenal: Overview". UEFA. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  117. "2008/09, Final: Barcelona 2–0 Man. United: Overview". UEFA. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  118. "2010/11, Final: Barcelona 3–1 Man. United: Overview". UEFA. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  119. "Final: Barcelona 1–0 Shakhtar Donetsk: Line-ups". UEFA. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  120. "Match report: Estudiantes (La Plata) – Futbol Club Barcelona". FIFA. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  121. "Match report: Santos – Futbol Club Barcelona". FIFA. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  122. "Puyol, una carrera llena de éxitos" [Puyol, a career full of successes]. Récord (in Spanish). 4 March 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  123. Stokkermans, Karel. "ESM XI". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 15 March 2007. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  124. Hidalgo, Mamen (4 March 2014). "Carles Puyol, el eterno capitán del mejor Barça de la historia" [Carles Puyol, the eternal captain of the best Barça in history]. 20 minutos (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  125. "UEFA Club Defender of the Year". UEFA. 1 May 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  126. "Spain dominate Team of the Tournament". UEFA. 30 June 2008. Archived from the original on 31 August 2008. Retrieved 30 June 2008.
  127. "2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ statistics". FIFA. Archived from the original on 11 February 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  128. "Ultimate Team of the Year: The All-Time XI". UEFA. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  129. "World XI: Team of the 21st Century". GiveMeSport. Sports New Media. 2013. Archived from the original on 7 September 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  130. "Your All-time EURO 11 revealed". UEFA. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  131. "LEGENDS – GoldenFoot". Golden Foot. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  132. "Carles Puyol in Bilbao". Athletic Bilbao. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  133. "La selección española de fútbol, Premio Príncipe de Asturias de los Deportes" [The Spanish national team, Asturias Prince Award in Sports] (in Spanish). Fundación Princesa de Asturias. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  134. Bruña, Manuel (5 January 2011). "Los campeones del mundo de fútbol ya tienen la Real Orden del Mérito Deportivo" [The football World Champions already have the Royal Order of Sporting Merit]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 December 2011.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Carles Puyol.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.