5 - Carles Puyol

barSELOna

Member
PUYOL_copia.jpg


Name: Carles Puyol Saforcada
Position: defensa
Place of birth: La Pobla de Segur (Lleida)
Date: 13-04-1978
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 80 kg

Carles Puyol began his footballing career in the local team of the small town where he was born, La Pobla de Segur. His talent soon attracted wider attention and, at the age of 17, he was signed up for the Barca academy at La Masía.

He rapidly became a fixture in Barca B and then progressed to make his debut with the first team on 2nd October 1999 against Valladolid at the orders of Louis Van Gaal. His appearances became more and more frequent until he made the right back position his own. Thanks to his determination to improve and a tremendous work rate, Carles Puyol adapted to the position of central defender.

In the 2003-2004 season, having been chosen as third captain, he played a vital role in the team's sensational run of form that led to the runners-up place in the league. Puyol made 27 appearances in the league and seven in the UEFA Cup.

However, Carles Puyol had to wait until the 2004-05 season to win his first medal with Barca. He was, by then, captain of the first team and an essential part of Frank Rijkaard's league championship winning side. At the end of the season, he finally saw his dream come true of lifting the league trophy in the Nou Camp.

During the 2005-06 season, he played as well as he had the previous year. The Barça captain had the honour of being presented with the league title trophy before the game against Espanyol, before lifting the UEFA Champions League in Paris after the monumental victory against Arsenal in the Saint-Denis Stadium. Puyol only missed five matches all season and none through injury. On three occasions he was rested by coach Frank Rijkaard and was then suspended for the other two games which he did not play in. He also scored one goal as he headed home during the 5-0 victory against Real Sociedad on October 30, 2005.

At the end of the following season in 2006/07 (in which he played in 35 of 38 League games), Carles Puyol suffered the worst injury of his career when the League was already over. He damaged ligaments in his knee in a friendly played in Pretoria on 20 June 2007 and this kept him out until 29 September. Despite missing the first months of the competition, the club captain finally played in 30 League games in the 2007/08 campaign.

Carles Puyol is also a fixture in the Spanish national side, with which he played in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and in the European Championships in 2004 and 2008. In the latter he was key figure as Spain won the title in Vienna.

CHARACTERISTICS

Carles Puyol started off in the first team at right back but has since developed into a great central defender. He stands out for his tremendous fitness levels and his discipline on the pitch. He's a perfect example of a team player and he never over-complicates the job when he has to cut off an opposing attacking move.

He can also adapt to the left back position when circumstances dictate. Although he is not particularly tall (178 cm), his physical strength makes him very strong in the air and he is capable of man-marking opposing forwards who are taller than him. He also likes to get up in attack, especially for corners and free kicks.

More than anything else, Carles Puyol is a reference point for the rest of the squad due to his character and qualities of leadership and because of his pride in the Barca colours and his total identification with the Club.
(fcbarcelona.com)
 

barSELOna

Member
Re: Carles Puyol Saforcada

ronaldinho said:
everypeople knows that barcelona is ronaldinho but everybarca players know that barca is puyol

he is the king he is the wall he is the tarzan he is the FC Barcelona
 

M.L. King

The Preacher
Re: Carles Puyol Saforcada

selo said:
ronaldinho said:
everypeople knows that barcelona is ronaldinho but everybarca players know that barca is puyol

He is the wall.

Not anymore, but was. :) His performances have dropped significantly over the last seasons. He is not as solid as he used to be. But as a back-up CB he is more than decent. He is a true Cule, true, one of the greatest but as I said his best times are gone.
 

barSELOna

Member
Re: Carles Puyol Saforcada

messi said:
selo said:
ronaldinho said:
everypeople knows that barcelona is ronaldinho but everybarca players know that barca is puyol

He is the wall.

Not anymore, but was. :) His performances have dropped significantly over the last seasons. He is not as solid as he used to be. But as a back-up CB he is more than decent. He is a true Cule, true, one of the greatest but as I said his best times are gone.

still he is the best defender in the world
 

M.L. King

The Preacher
Re: Carles Puyol Saforcada

Was quite solid yesterday on the left flank. Some strong tackles by the Tarzan.
 

barSELOna

Member
Re: Carles Puyol Saforcada

I dont wanna see him on the left or right.Actually i just wanna see him on the middle
 

barSELOna

Member
Re: Carles Puyol

Puyol is a target man.?f Pep says that play on the left wing of course he plays .Cuzz he is playing with his heart
 

M.L. King

The Preacher
Re: Carles Puyol

He was quite decent on that left flank; but Pique had a terrible night so in the near future I expect Puyol to be CB constantly.
 
B

Bardh

Guest
He has recovered very well after the shocking horrendous clown performances that he had last season. Not yet at his best of 2006 where he had a minimal number of fouls and yellow cards. A "that's how you defend" icon then, but not very far from that now.
 

Barcaman

Administrator
Staff member
He was also solid at RB as opposed to his CB performances. I agree that Pique makes some mistakes, but still I`d continue with Marquez-Pique partnership
 

M.L. King

The Preacher
I have to agree with Bardh. Puyol has improved against all expectations. He has been horrendous last year, making blunders every second game. Now he seems to be boosted by that Euro performance and is playing on a whole new level. Let's just hope he keeps the form cause we need our captain in his best shape.
 

Barcaman

Administrator
Staff member
Yesterday Puyol surpassed Zubi in all time list...

Players with most apps. for Barcelona:

Migueli - 548
Rexach - 452
Xavi - 436
Amor - 421
Puyol -411
Zubizarreta - 410
Segarra - 402
Rife - 401
Alexanko - 399
Asensi - 396
 

Home of Barca Fans

Top