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On 2nd October 1999 the football world would bear witness to the debut of a grizzled hair youth who would in the future be instrumental to Spain’s and Barcelona’s dominating performances. He would successfully make a conversion to a central defender from his right back position and after that there was no looking back for this talented stopper who would go on to become one of the most decorated individuals in not only Barcelona’s history but in the whole of Spanish football.
He is one of those few players who despite receiving humongous offers from famous clubs decided to stay firm and was loyal to his boyhood club, Barcelona and just as he had promised to his fans, he ended his illustrious career in Barcelona colors having played only for them throughout his career. In modern day football, where loyalty takes a back seat to financial gains, Puyol sets a shining example for all his peers as well as for the upcoming generations of talented youngsters.
At the end of the 2003-04 season, after the retirement of Luis Enrique, Puyol was awarded the captain’s arm band, a decision that he made sure the club wouldn’t regret. The golden period for Barcelona would begin under the leadership of this true son of the Catalans when he would help Barcelona win the La Liga title in the 2004-05 season and then retaining it again in the 2005-06 season before losing it to Real Madrid in the 2006-07 and the 2007-08 seasons.
From 2008-2013, this Barcelona team would regain its dominant form, winning the La Liga title for 3 years running before losing it again in the 2011-12 season to an exceptional Real Madrid. They would take back the crown as early as next season with scintillating performances by their talisman Messi which woud go on to be the last La Liga title Puyol would win in his decorated career.
From his early days Puyol has been a cornerstone of the Barcelona and Spain defense and a constant deterring factor to any forward line in the world that would try to breach the Spanish giants’ defensive walls.
Puyol would also go on to win the highest honor in club football when Barcelona would go on to win the Champions League in 2005-06, 2009-10 and 2010-11 under his leadership. He was a rock solid defender who was good at attacking the ball while moving forward. His tenacity and determination are well documented as he would continue to give it his all even after he was gravely injured while playing.
No amount of pain and injury could make him relinquish his playing time and whenever he set foot on the green grass, the field was his to command. Such was his presence that he earned and commanded the respect of all his peers and even of the opposition as well as his fans. It’s a real shame that the career of a player like him was cut short due to various injuries which forced him to announce an early retirement from football on May 15, 2014 with 2 years still remaining on his current contract.
His absence has led to a huge hole at the back of the Catalan as well as the Spanish defense which for the time being looks to be permanent. With Gerard Pique, his compatriot at both club and the national team, failing to take up the mantle of responsibility the defensive future of Barcelona and the Spanish team looks bleak at best.
Speaking of the national team, Puyol was an integral part of the Spanish World Cup winning team as well as their triumphant Euro 2008 stint. His presence at the back of the Spanish defense would ensure that the full backs could play their natural game without having to worry about their defensive duties. They knew that Puyol was always a constant presence in the backline ensuring that no one passed through the impenetrable Spanish defense.
His attacking prowess was also defined along with his defensive traits which would come to the fore in the World Cup semi finals against Germany. With the match looking to end as a stalemate and the prospect of extra time and penalties looming large over the horizon, Spain got a corner kick. Out of nowhere a shaggy haired figure would appear and head the ball into the German net just minutes before the final whistle, giving Spain the 1-0 lead and in the event, the victory.
With that thumping header, Carles Puyol had firmly etched his name into the annals of Spanish football history making him one of the most decorated figures in the triumphant World Cup winning squad.
The untimely retirement of Puyol has been a scathing blow to Barcelona as well as Spain with no one having stepped up to be an ideal replacement to him thus leaving the Spain and Barcelona defenses very vulnerable as was seen in the recently concluded La Liga season when Barcelona lost their crown to Atletico as well as the dismal Spanish display in the 2014 World Cup where the defending champions were below par.
A defensive general of Puyol’s capabilities was sorely missed as Spain crumbled to their worst defeat in 61 years as they lost to the Netherlands losing 5-1. The score line is as good as an indicator as to how far the Spanish defensive standard has fallen. People can give their opinions on who would be the next Ronaldo and the next Messi of world football but you can be pretty sure that there won’t be another like Carles Puyol.
