30 Facts About Carles Puyol

1. In 1999, Carles Puyol got a chance to make his debut in Barcelona's main squad.

2. In 1996, Carles Puyol joined Barcelona's third team where he played for a year.

3. In 1995, Carles Puyol was offered to join the FC Barcelona academy which he gladly did and practiced there till 1996.

4. Carles Puyol is a legendary former defender and captain of FC Barcelona.

5. Carles Puyol was Barcelona's captain from 2004 until his retirement in 2014.

6. Carles Puyol made me react, and I began to try to be more cheerful, and not overwhelmed by it all.

7. Carles Puyol said that this, combined with an injury led to a dark period, with Spanish national team physio Raul Martinez eventually coming to Barcelona: in the player's words, ".

8. Carles Puyol was informed of the news by coach Frank Rijkaard upon landing.

9. Carles Puyol said in 2010, "I don't have Romario's technique, [Marc] Overmars' pace or [Patrick] Kluivert's strength.

10. Carles Puyol missed Euro 2012 due to a knee injury sustained in a league game against RCD Espanyol in early May, which required surgery and five to six weeks' recuperation.

11. On 1 August 2010, aged 32, Carles Puyol announced that he would continue to play for the national team for at least another two years.

12. Carles Puyol scored the only goal in the semi-final against Germany, his third international goal in 89 matches, a powerful header from a corner taken by Barcelona teammate Xavi, which sent the national team through to their first World Cup final.

13. Carles Puyol started in three out of five matches at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, and captained the team when Iker Casillas was rested for the last group stage match.

14. Carles Puyol announced his retirement shortly after at the age of 36 but stayed connected to his only club, being immediately appointed director of football Andoni Zubizarreta's assistant.

15. On 13 November 2010, Carles Puyol made his 500th appearance in all competitions for Barcelona's first team in a domestic league tie against Villarreal.

16. Carles Puyol was essential to the team winning the 2009 UEFA Super Cup, the 2009 Champions League and the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup, appearing in nearly 100 official matches, and described the club as "the team who every Catalan child wants to play for.

17. Carles Puyol continued to be a defensive cornerstone for Barca, being awarded the "Best European right-back" award by UEFA in 2002, and helping the Catalans win two consecutive league titles.

18. Carles Puyol said that in his youth, "My parents were skeptical about me becoming a footballer and encouraged me to study.

19. Carles Puyol won 20 major titles, including six La Liga trophies and three Champions League titles.

20. Carles Puyol was Barcelona's captain from August 2004 until his retirement in 2014, and appeared in 593 competitive matches for the club.

21. In 2011, Carles Puyol paid €30,000 for specialist private treatment for Miki Roque, a footballer from his home province who was suffering from pelvic cancer.

22. In 2006, Carles Puyol said that when not working, he leads "a very quiet life.

23. On 1 August 2010, 32-year-Carles Puyol announced that he would continue to play for the national team for at least another two years.

24. Carles Puyol was as straight forward as you've come to expect from the former defender.

25. Carles Puyol claims Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele must "reflect and think where he is".

26. Carles Puyol wants comparisons between Arthur and Xavi to stop, as he feels it's placing unnecessary pressure on the young Brazilian.

27. Carles Puyol says Arthur should stop being compared to Xavi.

28. Carles Puyol was invited by Iranian television channel IRIB TV3 to provide commentary on the World Cup match between Iran and Spain on 20 June 2018 in a programme hosted by Adel Ferdosipour, but was not allowed in the studio.

29. At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Carles Puyol started every match and played almost every minute.

30. On 16 September 2008, Carles Puyol made his 400th appearance in all competitions for Barcelona's first team in a Champions League group stage match against Sporting CP.