Carles Puyol

First name :Carles

Last name :Puyol i Saforcada

Nationality :Spain

Date of birth :13 April 1978

Age :32

Country of birth:Spain

Place of birth :La Pobla de Segur

Position :Defender

Height :178 cm

Weight :80 kg

Foot :Right

Club career :

Born in La Pobla de Segur, province of Lleida, Catalonia, Puyol started playing football for his hometown club, as a goalkeeper. However, after injury problems with his shoulder, he switched to striker. In 1995, he joined FC Barcelona's youth system, switching positions again, to play as a defensive midfielder. In 1997, Puyol stepped up to play for the club's B-team, occupying the position of right back.

In 1999, then coach Louis van Gaal promoted Puyol to the first team. He made his first division debut on 2 October 1999, at Real Valladolid, in a 2–0 win. After that, he successfully made another reconversion, now to central defender.

During the 2003 off-season, as Barcelona was immersed in a financial crisis, Manchester United showed interest in acquiring Puyol's services,^[2] but no move ever materialized; two years later, the player extended his contract for a further five seasons.^[3] He continued to be a defensive cornerstone for Barça, being awarded the "Best European right back" award by UEFA in 2002 and "Best European centre back" in 2005, 2006 and 2008, as well as receiving the "UEFA Club Best Defender" trophy in 2006, and being named club captain at the end of the 2003–04 season, after the retirement of Luis Enrique; he helped the Catalans to consecutive leagues and the 2005–06 UEFA Champions League, appearing in 12 complete matches in the latter.

On 16 September 2008, Puyol made his 400th appearance in all competitions for Barça's first team in a Champions League match against Sporting Clube de Portugal.^[4] In the league season, the captain dealed with some injury problems, but still contributed with 28 matches to another league title, his only goal coming in El Clásico at Real Madrid on 2 May 2009, which finished with a resounding 6–2 away win;^[5] from 2008–10 combined, other than the two league titles, he was essential in conquering the 2009 UEFA Super Cup, the 2009 Champions League and the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup, appearing in nearly 100 official matches.

International career :

Puyol won his first Spanish cap on 15 November 2000 against the Netherlands, and remained a regular fixture ever since. He played for the nation at the 2000 Olympics, 2002 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2004, 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008 and the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

At Euro 2008, Puyol started throughout the vast majority of the competition, as the defensive backline only conceded two goals in five games, with an eventual final win against Germany. He 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 Confederations Cup, and captained the team when Iker Casillas was rested for the last group stage match. As Spain finished third, he and three other teammates were named in the Team of the Tournament.

Puyol played all the matches and minutes at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa: on 7 July, he scored the only goal in the semifinal against Germany with a powerfully headed goal from a corner taken by Barcelona teammate Xavi, sending the national team through to their first World Cup final,^[6] where he played the full 120 minutes, as Spain defeated Holland 1–0.