Carles Puyol

Profile Football Stars | Carles Puyol | He served as a longtime team captain for his club FC Barcelona only after taking over from Luis Enrique in August 2004, going on to Appear in more than 500 official games for the team and win 18 major titles, five Notably La Liga and UEFA Champions three League championships. A Spanish international on more than 100 Occasions, Puyol was part of the squads That won the Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup tournaments. Born in La Pobla de Segur, Lleida, Catalonia, Puyol started playing football for his hometown club as a Goalkeeper. 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. Puyol again struggled with injury in the 2010-11 season, but still Appeared in 28 official games for Barcelona, the which again won the league and the Champions League.

At Euro 2008, Puyol started throughout the vast majority of the the competition, as the defensive back line conceded only two goals in five games, with an eventual final win against Germany. He was named in the Team of the Tournament alongside defensive partner Carlos Marchena, of Valencia CF. He started in three out of five 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, he and four other teammates were named in the Team of the Tournament.

At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Puyol started every match and played almost every minute (he was substituted by Marchena in the 84th minute of the quarter-final against Paraguay). He scored the only goal in the semifinal against Germany with a powerful header from a corner taken by Barcelona teammate Xavi, sending the national team through to Their first World Cup finals, and scoring his third goal in 89 international matches; in the final, he played the full 120 minutes, as Spain Defeated the Netherlands 1-0. On 1 August 2010, a 32-year Puyol Announced That he would continue to play for the national team for at least another two years. Puyol is also known for his leadership and work Ethic.

Personal information
Full name Carles Puyol i Saforcada
Date of birth 13 April 1978 (age 34)
Place of birth La Pobla de Segur, Spain
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position Defender

Club information
Current club Barcelona
Number 5

Youth career
1993-1995 Pobla de Segur
Barcelona 1995-1996

Senior career
years Team
1996-1997 Barcelona C
1997-2000 Barcelona B 89 (6)
1999-Barcelona 369 (9)

National team
1995 Spain U18 3 (0)
2000 Spain U21 4 (0)
2000 Spain U23 5 (0)
2000-Spain 99 (3)
2001-Barcelona 5 (0)

Honours

Barcelona
     La Liga: 2004-05, 2005-06, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11
     Copa del Rey: 2008-09: Runner-up 2010-11
     Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011
     UEFA Champions League: 2005-06, 2008-09, 2010-11
     UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011; Runner-up 2006
     FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011; Runner-up 2006

Spain
     FIFA World Cup: 2010
     UEFA European Football Championship: 2008
     Summer Olympics: Silver medal 2000
     FIFA Confederations Cup: Third-place 2009

Individual
     La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year: 2001
     ESM Team of the Year: 2001-02, 2002-03, 2004-05, 2005-06
     UEFA Team of the Year: 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010
     UEFA Club Best Defender: 2006
     FIFA / FIFPro World XI: 2007, 2008, 2010
     UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament
     2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Team of the Tournament
     FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2010

Decorations
     Prince of Asturias Awards: 2010
     Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit: 2011