Article written By: Oscar Quinones
Yesterday, the soccer community was delivered very saddening news. Carles Puyol from FC Barcelona will be leaving at the end of this season. His debut was in October 1999 and since then, he has made 593 appearances for Barcelona, falling short behind his teammate Xavi. In the end of the 2003-2004 season, he was granted the honor of becoming captain when Luis Eriquez retired. He has also made 100 appearances in Spain’s National Soccer Team. Now that Puyol is retiring, finding someone to be captain will be a great task.
Over the years, Puyol has accumulated a great number of awards or notable accomplishments with both Barcelona and Spain’s Nation Soccer Team. With Barcelona, he has won the Copa De Rey twice in the seasons of 2008-2009 and 2011-12. He has also been champion with Barcelona in the Espana Super Copa a total of six times, in ’05 ’06 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’13. He is a EUFA Champions League winner three times and has won the EUFA Super Cup twice with FC Barcelona. With Spain’s National Soccer Team, he had the honor of winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was also a winner with Spain in the EUFA European Championship in 2008 and a silver medalist with Spain in the 2000 Summer Olympics and the list goes on.
Besides winning a great amount of championships and awards with his teams, he has also gotten many individual awards. He has won the EUFA Club Best Defender in 2006 and in 2001 he was awarded the La Liga Break Through Player of the Year,
To many, a Barcelona without Puyol is an alien thought. He has been part of the club for such a long time that one expects to see him on the pitch every weekend. For 14 years, he dedicated himself to the sport, to his team and to his teammates. For many he is a part of the clubs rich history. He will be missed my his team and by his fans. The soccer community is not ready to say good bye to a giant. He will be missed and finding a replacement for him almost seems impossible. Thank you for everything you have given to the sport, to your club, and to the fans.