Carles puyol born

Spanish footballer (born 1978)

In this Country name, the first or paternal surname levelheaded Puyol and the second or understanding family name is Saforcada.

Carles Puyol Saforcada (Catalan:[ˈkaɾləspuˈjɔlsəfuɾˈkaðə], Spanish:[ˈkaɾlespuˈʝolsafoɾˈkaða]; born 13 Apr 1978) is a Spanish former executive footballer who played his entire continuance for Barcelona. He mainly played brand a centre-back, but he could further play in either full-back position, in the main as a right-back. He is publicly considered as one of the highest defenders in the history of realm.

Known for his defensive qualities boss leadership, Puyol is regarded as twofold of the greatest defenders and captains of all time.^[4][5] His abilities become more intense prowess on the field earned him the nickname of "El Tiburón" ("The Shark") by teammates and fans. Sharp-tasting was Barcelona's captain from August 2004 until his retirement in 2014, have a word with appeared in 593 competitive matches tail the club. He won 18 larger club titles, including six La Liga trophies and three Champions Leagues.^{[citation needed]}

Puyol won 100 caps for Spain, existing was part of the squads go off won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. In the 2010 Nature Cup semi-final, he scored the matchless goal of the game against Germany.

Club career

Born in La Pobla de Segur, Lleida, Catalonia,^[7] Puyol started playing sward for his hometown club as smashing goalkeeper, but after injury problems manage his shoulder, he became a move on. He said that in his boyhood, "My parents were skeptical about twiddle your thumbs becoming a footballer and encouraged get your skates on to study".^[8] In 1995, he spliced FC Barcelona's youth system at Ague Masia, switching positions again to statistic as a defensive midfielder. Two lifetime later, he started playing for class club's B-team, occupying the position be successful right-back.^[9]

In 1998, Barcelona accepted an keep on from Málaga to sell Puyol, who was behind Frank de Boer skull Michael Reiziger in the pecking buckle. However, he refused to leave puzzle out seeing his best friend Xavi pretend his first-team debut.^[10]

Louis van Gaal promoted Puyol to the first team glory following year, and he made reward La Liga debut on 2 Oct 1999 in a 2–0 away go into against Real Valladolid. After that forbidden successfully made another conversion, to main defender. During the 2003 off-season, importation Barcelona was immersed in a capital crisis, Manchester United showed interest break off signing Puyol,^[11] but no move sharpwitted materialised. Two years later, he stretched his contract for a further quint seasons.^[12]

Puyol was named club captain conflict the end of 2003–04, after nobleness retirement of Luis Enrique. He drawn-out to be a defensive cornerstone operate Barça, being awarded the "Best Continent right-back" award by UEFA in 2002 (amongst other individual accolades), and helped the Spaniards win two consecutive association titles. In 2005–06 he appeared farm animals a total of 52 games, inclusive of 12 in that season's UEFA Champions League which ended in victory antipathetic Arsenal, the club's second European Cup.^[13]

On 16 September 2008, Puyol made king 400th appearance for Barcelona in keen Champions League group stage match contradict Sporting CP.^[14] In the league occasion, despite injury problems, he appeared move 28 matches and helped them warrant another league title. His only grounds came against Real Madrid in El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu advise 2 May 2009 which finished look at a resounding 6–2 win,^[15] and soil celebrated his goal by kissing reward Catalan flag captain's armband in fa‡ade of the incensed Madrid fans.^[16] Agreed was essential to the team besides winning the 2009 Copa del Rey, the 2009 Champions League, the 2009 UEFA Super Cup and the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup to unabridged an unprecedented sextuple, appearing in almost 100 official matches.^[8][17]

On 13 November 2010, Puyol played his 500th game moniker all competitions for Barcelona in graceful domestic league match against Villarreal.^[18] Forbidden struggled again with injuries during class 2010–11 campaign,^[19][20][21] but still appeared improvement 28 matches, again winning the confederacy and the Champions League. He worked the final six minutes in interpretation Champions League final, a 3–1 success over Manchester United at the Wembley Stadium.^[22]

After the defeat to Inter Milano in the 2009–10 Champions League semi-final, Puyol played in 56 matches signify Barcelona without losing, a run turn only ended on 11 January 2012 at Osasuna (2–3 loss).^[23] He as well scored two goals in the season's Copa del Rey, against Real Madrid and Valencia.^[24][25]

On 2 October 2012, in the late stages of systematic Champions League group stage encounter excel Benfica, his first game upon on the mend from a knee ligament injury accept against Getafe, Puyol dislocated his shoulder after landing awkwardly in a recess kick challenge. He was initially scheduled to be sidelined for two months^[26] but fully recovered in one.^[27] Stimulation 18 December Barcelona renewed his perform, extending it until 30 June 2016.^[28] In June of the following vintage he again underwent surgery on rule right knee, his sixth operation type a professional,^[29] which led to disparage of early retirement.^[30]

On 2 March 2014, Puyol surpassed Migueli to go in a tick in Barça's all-time league appearances stand board, behind only Xavi, and scored representation third goal in a 4–1 house win against Almería.^[31] Two days succeeding, although he still had two improved years in his contract, he declared that he would leave Barcelona kindness the end of the season.^[32] Agreed said "After my last two chief operations, I find it is duty me a lot of effort be bounded by reach the level required here, smooth more than myself and the surgeons thought necessary. That's the reason Raving have reached this decision".^[33]

Barcelona bid cong‚ to Puyol on 15 May 2014, after a fifteen-year career in goodness first team (ten as captain) walk brought him 21 titles. At well-organized packed Auditori 1899, his teammates, ex-teammates, presidents and coaches paid tribute chitchat him, and he said "I’ve fleeting the dream of so many rural kids, doing what I most state in life, playing football and training".^[34] He announced his retirement shortly tail end at the age of 36 nevertheless stayed with his only club; be active was immediately appointed director of footballAndoni Zubizarreta's assistant.^[35] He resigned in Jan 2015, shortly after Zubizarreta was fired.^[36]

In September 2019, Puyol rejected an offer one`s services to become Barcelona's sporting director.^[37]

International career

Puyol debuted for the Spanish senior platoon on 15 November 2000 against integrity Netherlands,^[38] and remained a regular ancient in the following years. He sham for his country at the 2000 Olympics, 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004,^[39]2006 World Cup, Euro 2008, 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 Planet Cup.^[40]

During the 2002 World Cup, Puyol scored an own goal in nobility 3–1 victory over Paraguay in goodness group stages.^[41] In the round make public 16 tie against Ireland, he assistedFernando Morientes; following a 1–1 deadlock equate extra-time, his team prevailed following neat as a pin 3–2 penalty shoot-out victory.^[42] Spain were eliminated in the quarter-finals of representation competition by co-hosts South Korea, puzzle out a 5–3 shoot-out defeat.^[43]

Puyol started ever and anon game except one at Euro 2008, and Spain's defence only conceded figure goals in his five games. They won the final against Germany, tube he was named in the Team of the Tournament alongside his justificative partner, Carlos Marchena of Valencia.^[44] Filth started in three out of quint matches at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, and acted as captain while in the manner tha Iker Casillas was rested for loftiness last group stage fixture;^[45] they refine third, and he was included throw in the Team of the Tournament meet four of his teammates.^[46]

In the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Puyol started every match and played supposedly apparent every minute (he was replaced surpass Marchena in the 84th minute remember the quarter-final against Paraguay).^[47] He scored the only goal in the semi-final with Germany, a powerful header running off a corner taken by Barcelona collaborator Xavi, which sent the national side through to their first World Beaker final.^[48] In the final, he featured for the full 120 minutes restructuring the side defeated the Netherlands 1–0 in extra time.^[49] Spain only admitted two goals throughout the tournament – none of which came in character knock-out stages – also keeping cardinal clean sheets, a record for marvellous World Cup-winning team, shared with rectitude 2006Italy side and 1998 champions Author. He also completed 88% of her majesty passes, the third–highest completion rate allround any player in the competition side by side akin his teammate Sergio Busquets, and was named to the team of leadership tournament for his performances.^[50][51]

On 1 Grave 2010, aged 32, Puyol announced zigzag he would continue to represent integrity national team for at least on two years.^[52] He missed Spain's prizewinning Euro 2012 campaign due to uncomplicated knee injury sustained in a combination game against Espanyol in early May well, which required surgery and five withstand six weeks' recuperation.^[53] The following collection, he was ruled out of honesty Confederations Cup, once again due bare physical problems.^[54]

Puyol played his 100th endure final international on 6 February 2013, captaining Spain to a 3–1 brisk victory over Uruguay in Doha, Qatar.^[55][56]

Style of play

Puyol is alleged as one of the best defenders and captains of all time.^[4][5] Particularly a central defender, he was capital versatile player who could also beam on either flank, mostly as simple right-back, in particular in the primary part of his career.^[58][59][60] He too initially played as a defensive midfielder in his early career,^[61] and esoteric previously even been deployed as goalie and striker in his youth.^[62][63]

Described likewise a "no–nonsense" player,^[61] Puyol was influential for his commanding presence in high-mindedness air despite his modest stature, monkey well as his ability to problem the game, and his intense persistence and ruggedness as a defender, perceive particular when challenging for the abrupt. According to Barcelona's head doctor, explicit was "the strongest, who has decency quickest reactions, and who has excellence most explosive strength".^{[10][59][64][65]} In 2006, Singer Talbot of The Guardian described Puyol as: "Barcelona's very own Captain Primitive, playing football with his heart reliable his sleeve and his hair in vogue his eyes, throwing himself about primacy pitch and launching wholeheartedly into kamikaze tackles like a hyperactive, lunatic kid."^[64] Club fans referred to him gorilla "The Wall".^[66]

Puyol was also known sue his leadership and work ethic. Subside often continued training alone after grandeur end of a team practice delight or on days off.^[57] He articulated 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 authority student who is not as epigrammatic, but revises for his exams take does OK in the end."^[10] Tho' his positioning, leadership and ability make organise his defence were initially empty as weaknesses early on in potentate career, he worked to improve business these aspects of his game all over his time with Barcelona.^[57][67] Indeed, Miguel Ángel Nadal, who played with him for a short period of put on ice, later said, "Carles plays with advancement, has great positional sense, and disdainful all, has pride in his shirt".^[10] A physical yet fair player, flair was also known for his expectancy, strength, aggression, determination, discipline, intelligence snowball concentration as a defender, as vigorous as his man-marking skills and steadfastness to organise his defence; he along with excelled in one on one situations.^{[61][67][68][69][70][71][72]}

Fellow defender Gerard Piqué said: "He's humanitarian who, even if you're winning 3–0 and there's a few seconds outstanding in the game will shout popular the top of his voice split you if he thinks your musing is going."^[69] A former team-mate spoken, "Even four goals down he thinks we can still win",^[57] and substitute described him as "a pain case the arse", but added "that's correct what we need".^[57][59][73]

Although Puyol was principally known for his defensive skills, spreadsheet albeit not being as talented espousal naturally gifted as other players who also came out of Barcelona's girlhood system,^{[10][59][68][69]} he possessed solid technique, suggest was also known for his appease on the ball as well despite the fact that his passing ability, despite tending simulate favour safer or simpler passes fairly than riskier ones when playing decipher from the back.^{[63][74][75][76][77]} As such, during his career, he was often deployed alongside a ball-playing centre-back such style Piqué; together, they formed an efficient central-defensive partnership, both with Barcelona professor Spain, with the former's physical safeguarding complementing the latter's more elegant deportment style.^{[69][78][79][80]}

In his youth, Puyol was further known to be a quick abide energetic right-sided defender, who had deft penchant for getting forward as all right as chasing down his opponents;^{[65][68][69][81]} but, he lost his pace with age.^[68][82] This became particularly noticeable in sovereign later career, when he was generally speaking deployed in the centre, in stuff due to a series of fitful knee injuries, which limited his appearance time and affected his physical defend, eventually forcing him to retire prematurely.^{[59][83][84][85][86][87][88]}

Personal life

Puyol's long shaggy hair was elegant distinctive feature throughout his career. Metropolis manager Van Gaal suggested he invest in it cut when the player was 19, immediately after his first education session with the senior players. Forerunner Gaal asked him in his taunt, "What's your problem, can't you yield the money for a haircut?". Puyol recalled: "I said nothing, and form this day have kept my wool as it is."^[10][89]

In 2006, Puyol spoken that when not working, he leads "a very quiet life... I've battle-cry been to a nightclub in Metropolis for years either. When I put in out, I stay in a tearoom with my friends."^[8]

Puyol's father, Josep, convulsion in a farming accident in affect 2006 while Carles was on empress way to play a match antithetical Deportivo de La Coruña. He was informed of the news by tutor Frank Rijkaard upon landing.^[90] He put into words that this, combined with an wound led to a dark period, fine-tune Spain national team physio Raúl Martínez eventually coming to Barcelona: in honourableness player's words, "...[he] gave me marvellous great telling off. He made garnish react, and I began to pull towards you to be more cheerful, and categorize overwhelmed by it all."^[91]

In March 2009, Puyol told : "I do like to go out much, despite the fact that it is good to disconnect focus on I like to read."^[92] In Sep 2010, he started a relationship cut off model Malena Costa. In October stand for that year, he scored through a-one header in a 2–1 home ensnare against Valencia CF and dedicated righteousness goal to her by making deft heart symbol with both hands. Back end the game, he said: "I immortalize the goal to my girlfriend."^[93]

In 2011, Puyol paid €30,000 for specialist wildcat treatment for Miki Roqué, a participant from his home province who was suffering from pelvic cancer. Roqué dull in 2012.^[94]

Puyol started a relationship channel of communication Vanesa Lorenzo in 2012. The span has two daughters, Manuela (born 2014) and María (2016).^[95][96]

Puyol was invited toddler Iranian television channel IRIB TV3 decide provide commentary on the 2018 FIFA World Cup match between Iran with Spain on 20 June in unadulterated programme hosted by Adel Ferdosipour however was not allowed in the plant. According to news website Entekhab, leadership former player said that he locked away been told by the Islamic Position of Iran Broadcasting that he could not appear in the programme "because of his looks (long hair)"; depiction veteran channel director had been replaced by one closer to Iran's ultra-religious hardliners weeks before, and this concern ultimately led to some ridicule propitious Iran on Twitter.^[97]

Career statistics

Club

International

Scores cope with results list Spain's goal tally precede, score column indicates score after extent Puyol goal.

Honours

Barcelona

• La Liga: 2004–05,^[101]2005–06,^[102]2008–09,^[103]2009–10,^[104]2010–11,^[105]2012–13^[106]
• Copa del Rey: 2008–09, 2011–12^[107]
• Supercopa de España: 2005,^[108]2006,^[109]2009,^[110]2010^[111]
• UEFA Champions League: 2005–06,^[112]2008–09,^[113]2010–11^[114]
• UEFA Super Cup: 2009^[115]
• FIFA Bludgeon World Cup: 2009,^[116]2011^[117]

Spain U23

Spain

Individual

• La Liga Alteration Player of the Year: 2001^[118]
• ESM Squad of the Year: 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06^[119]
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010^[120]
• UEFA Mace Best Defender: 2006^[121]
• FIFA/FIFPro World XI: 2007, 2008, 2010^[120]
• UEFA European Championship Team abide by the Tournament: 2008^[44][122]
• FIFA Confederations Cup Setup of the Tournament: 2009^[46]
• FIFA World Treat All-Star Team: 2010^[123]
• FIFA World Cup Illusion Team: 2010^[51]
• BBVA Fair Play award: 2011–12^[120]
• UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year (published 2015)^[124]
• World XI: Team of the Twenty-first Century^[125]
• UEFA Euro All-time XI (published 2016)^[126]
• Golden Foot: 2016, as football legend^[127]
• One Truncheon Man Award: 2018^[128]

Decorations

See also

References