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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Carles Puyol Saforcada | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in(1.78 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender, Center Back | ||
| Team information | |||
| Current team | FC Barcelona | ||
| ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10:26, 12 March 2006 (UTC) | |||
Carles Puyol Saforcada (born April 13, 1978 in La Pobla de Segur, Lleida) is a Catalan footballer who is the current captain of FC Barcelona. He has established himself as one of the best defenders in Spain and is a regular in the Spanish national team.
Puyol is a tough, aggressive defender who has the versatility to play both as a full-back and in the centre. His whole-hearted approach makes him a favourite at his club side, Barcelona. Puyol is a vital member of 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.
Puyol played for Spain at the 2000 Olympics,
, Template:Ec2 and is currently involved in the
and has been capped over 30 times. His attacking mentality is a result of his 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.
He has also played for the Catalan football team in one unofficial friendly.
He went to Barca 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 centre-back, and is now regarded as one of the top centre-backs in the world.
He was first chosen as the captain for Barcelona in the 2003-04 season. In the absence of Raúl due to injury, Puyol has also been called upon to captain the Spanish national 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.
Medals/Trophies
FC Barcelona:
2005-06 : Champions League
2005-06 : Primera Liga
2005-06 : Spanish Supercup
2004-05 : Primera Liga
Spain:
2000 : Silver medal at Sydney Olympic Games
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.
References
- FC Barcelona History, Barcelona.com
External links
- Puyol Fansite
- Puyol at FC Barcelona English Speaking Supporters Fansite
- United Athletes Magazine Interview with Puyol on intensity and determination.
| Spain squad – 2006 FIFA World Cup | ||
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| FC Barcelona – current squad | |
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