Carles Puyol facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Carles Puyol

Puyol at the 2020 Goya Awards
Personal information
Date of birth	(1978-04-13) 13 April 1978 (age 47)
Place of birth	La Pobla de Segur, Spain
Height	1.78 m
Playing position	Centre-back
Youth career
1992–1995	Pobla de Segur
1995–1997	Barcelona
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1996	Barcelona C	1	(1)
1997–1999	Barcelona B	89	(6)
1999–2014	Barcelona	392	(12)
Total		482	(18)
National team
1995	Spain U18	3	(0)
2000	Spain U21	4	(0)
2000	Spain U23	5	(0)
2000–2013	Spain	100	(3)
2001–2013	Catalonia	6	(0)
Honours Men's football Representing  Spain FIFA World Cup Winner 2010 South Africa UEFA European Championship Winner 2008 Austria–Switzerland Summer Olympics Silver 2000 Sydney Team FIFA Confederations Cup Third 2009 South Africa
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Carles Puyol Saforcada (born 13 April 1978) is a famous Spanish former professional footballer. He played his entire career for Barcelona. He was mainly a centre-back, which is a defender. But he could also play as a full-back on either side. Many people think he is one of the best defenders ever.

Puyol was known for his strong defending and great leadership. His teammates and fans called him "El Tiburón" which means "The Shark". He was Barcelona's captain from 2004 until he retired in 2014. He played 593 games for the club. He won 18 major titles, including six La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies.

Puyol also played 100 games for Spain. He helped Spain win Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. In the 2010 World Cup semi-final, he scored the only goal against Germany. This goal sent Spain to the final.

Carles Puyol's Club Career

Puyol was born in La Pobla de Segur, Catalonia. He started playing football for his hometown club. He began as a goalkeeper. After some shoulder injuries, he became a forward. He said his parents wanted him to study instead of playing football.

In 1995, he joined FC Barcelona's youth team, called La Masia. He changed positions again to play as a defensive midfielder. Two years later, he played for the club's B-team as a right-back.

In 1998, Barcelona wanted to sell Puyol to Málaga. He was not playing much for the first team. But he decided to stay after his friend Xavi played his first game for the main team.

Louis van Gaal moved Puyol to the first team in 1999. He played his first La Liga game on 2 October 1999. It was a 2–0 win against Real Valladolid. After that, he became a central defender. In 2003, Manchester United wanted to sign him. But Puyol stayed with Barcelona. Two years later, he signed a new contract for five more seasons.

Puyol (downright) lining up for Barcelona, alongside Ronaldinho, Rafael Márquez, Xavi and Samuel Eto'o in 2005

Puyol became club captain in 2004. He was a key defender for Barça. He won the "Best European right-back" award in 2002. He helped his team win two league titles in a row. In the 2005–06 season, he played 52 games. This included 12 games in the Champions League. Barcelona won the Champions League final against Arsenal. This was the club's second European Cup.

On 16 September 2008, Puyol played his 400th game for Barcelona. It was a Champions League match against Sporting CP. In the league season, he played 28 matches despite injuries. He helped Barcelona win another league title. He scored a goal against Real Madrid in El Clásico. Barcelona won that game 6–2. He celebrated by kissing his Catalan flag captain's armband.

Puyol as Barcelona captain (wearing his Catalan flag armband) in 2008

Puyol was very important as Barcelona won many trophies. They won the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, the 2009 UEFA Super Cup and the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup. This was a huge achievement, winning six titles in one year.

On 13 November 2010, Puyol played his 500th game for Barcelona. It was a league match against Villarreal. He had more injuries in the 2010–11 season. But he still played 28 matches. Barcelona won the league and the Champions League again. He played the last few minutes in the Champions League final. Barcelona beat Manchester United 3–1.

Puyol played 56 games for Barcelona without losing. This amazing run ended on 11 January 2012. He also scored two goals in the Copa del Rey that season. He scored against Real Madrid and Valencia.

On 2 October 2012, Puyol dislocated his elbow. This happened during a Champions League game against Benfica. He had just come back from a knee injury. He was expected to be out for two months but recovered faster. In December, Barcelona extended his contract until 2016. In 2013, he had another knee surgery. This was his sixth operation as a professional player.

Puyol playing for Barcelona in 2011

On 2 March 2014, Puyol became second in Barcelona's all-time league appearances. Only Xavi had played more games. He scored a goal in a 4–1 win against Almería. Two days later, he announced he would leave Barcelona at the end of the season. He said his injuries made it too hard to play at the top level.

Barcelona said goodbye to Puyol on 15 May 2014. He had played for the first team for 15 years. He was captain for 10 of those years. He won 21 titles with the club. He said, "I’ve lived the dream of so many young kids." He retired at age 36. He then worked as an assistant to the director of football. He left that role in January 2015. In 2019, Puyol turned down an offer to become Barcelona's sporting director.

Playing for Spain

Puyol (bottom left) celebrating with Spain after their 2010 World Cup win

Puyol playing for Catalonia in a 2009 friendly match against Argentina at Camp Nou

Puyol first played for the Spanish national team on 15 November 2000. It was a game against the Netherlands. He played for Spain in many big tournaments. These included the 2000 Olympics, 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004, 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008, 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup.

In the 2002 World Cup, Puyol scored an own goal against Paraguay. Spain won that game 3–1. In the next round, Spain beat Ireland in a penalty shoot-out. Spain was knocked out by South Korea in the quarter-finals.

Puyol played almost every game at Euro 2008. Spain's defense was very strong, letting in only two goals. Spain won the final against Germany. Puyol was chosen for the Team of the Tournament. He also played in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Spain finished third in that competition.

In the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Puyol played every match. He scored the only goal in the semi-final against Germany. It was a powerful header from a corner kick. This goal sent Spain to their first ever World Cup final. In the final, Spain beat the Netherlands 1–0 in extra time. Spain only let in two goals in the whole tournament. This was a record for a World Cup-winning team. Puyol was also named to the team of the tournament.

On 1 August 2010, Puyol said he would keep playing for Spain for at least two more years. He missed Spain's win at Euro 2012 due to a knee injury. He also missed the Confederations Cup because of injuries.

Puyol played his 100th and final international game on 6 February 2013. He was captain in a 3–1 friendly win against Uruguay.

How Puyol Played

Puyol is seen as one of the best defenders and captains ever. He was mostly a central defender. But he could also play on the sides, especially as a right-back. When he was younger, he even played as a defensive midfielder, goalkeeper, and striker.

Puyol was known for being a very strong player. He was good at heading the ball, even though he wasn't the tallest. He was also great at understanding the game. He was very committed and tough as a defender. Barcelona's head doctor said he was "the strongest, who has the quickest reactions." Fans called him "The Wall."

Puyol was also known for his leadership and hard work. He often trained alone even after team practice. He once said, "I don't have Romário's technique... But I work harder than the others." He improved his positioning and how he organized the defense over time. Miguel Ángel Nadal, who played with him, said Puyol had "great positional sense." He was also known for his strength, determination, and intelligence. He was excellent in one-on-one situations.

His teammate Gerard Piqué said, "He's someone who... will shout at the top of his voice at you if he thinks your concentration is going."

Even though Puyol was known for defending, he also had good ball control. He was calm with the ball and passed well. He usually made safer passes instead of risky ones. He often played alongside defenders like Piqué. Puyol's strong defending and Piqué's elegant style worked well together.

When he was young, Puyol was a fast and energetic defender. He liked to run forward and chase opponents. But as he got older, he lost some of his speed. This was especially true later in his career. He often played in the center because of knee injuries. These injuries limited his playing time and made him retire early.

About Carles Puyol's Life

Puyol's long, shaggy hair was easy to spot throughout his career. When he was 19, his manager, Van Gaal, suggested he cut it. But Puyol kept his hair as it was.

In 2006, Puyol said he lived "a very quiet life" when not playing. He preferred staying in restaurants with friends over going to nightclubs.

Puyol's father passed away in late 2006. This, along with an injury, was a tough time for him. A physio from the Spain national team helped him feel better.

In 2010, Puyol started a relationship with model Malena Costa. He scored a goal and made a heart symbol with his hands to dedicate it to her.

In 2011, Puyol helped pay for special treatment for Miki Roqué. Roqué was a footballer from Puyol's home area who had cancer. Roqué sadly passed away in 2012.

Puyol started a relationship with Vanesa Lorenzo in 2012. They have two daughters, Manuela (born 2014) and María (born 2016).

Puyol's Career Numbers

Club

International

Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Puyol goal.

List of international goals scored by Carles Puyol

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	17 April 2002	Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland	Northern Ireland	4–0	5–0	Friendly
2	11 October 2008	A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia	Estonia	3–0	3–0	2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
3	7 July 2010	Moses Mabhida, Durban, South Africa	Germany	1–0	1–0	2010 FIFA World Cup

What Puyol Won

Barcelona

• La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13
• Copa del Rey: 2008–09, 2011–12
• Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010
• UEFA Champions League: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11
• UEFA Super Cup: 2009
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011

Spain U23

• Summer Olympic silver medal: 2000

Spain

• FIFA World Cup: 2010
• UEFA European Championship: 2008

Individual Awards

• La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year: 2001
• ESM Team of the Year: 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010
• UEFA Club Best Defender: 2006
• FIFA/FIFPro World XI: 2007, 2008, 2010
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2008
• FIFA Confederations Cup Team of the Tournament: 2009
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2010
• FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2010
• BBVA Fair Play award: 2011–12
• UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year (published 2015)
• World XI: Team of the 21st Century
• UEFA Euro All-time XI (published 2016)
• Golden Foot: 2016, as football legend
• One Club Man Award: 2018

Decorations

• Prince of Asturias Awards: 2010
• Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit: 2011

Images for kids

• 

  Puyol at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final, alongside supermodel Gisele Bündchen

See also

In Spanish: Carles Puyol para niños

• List of footballers with 100 or more UEFA Champions League appearances
• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
• List of one-club men in association football