Puyol is a brave leader who dismissed theories that strikers get all the glory, his career was nothing short of heroic

By Pete Jenson

PUBLISHED: 18:51 EST, 4 March 2014 | UPDATED: 03:19 EST, 5 March 2014

From the save he made with his chest against Lokomotiv Moscow in the 2002 Champions League, to that towering header that sent Spain into the World Cup final in South Africa in 2010, Carles Puyol’s career for club and country has been, above all, heroic.

Time and again he has made a nonsense of the idea that the forwards take the glory. That extraordinary stop in 2002 was cheered like a goal in the Camp Nou as Lokomotiv’s Obiorah raced clear looking certain to score. With Barça goalkeeper Roberto Bonano missing in action, last man Puyol somehow dived to his left to save the ball with the club crest on his shirt no less.

The header from Xavi’s corner in Durban in the World Cup semi-final, rising above Gerard Pique and a penalty box full of German defenders to make it 1-0 in the 73rd minute, will go down as his greatest moment.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Carles Puyol heading a plant pot in funny Barcelona advert

Big blow: Barcelona defender Carles Puyol has announced he will leave the Catalans at the end of the season

Big blow: Barcelona defender Carles Puyol has announced he will leave the Catalans at the end of the season

On his way out: Captain Puyol admitted he can no longer perform as he wishes after 14 years with the club

On his way out: Captain Puyol admitted he can no longer perform as he wishes after 14 years with the club

Two years earlier in Vienna he had formed part of the team that ended Spain’s 46-year wait for a trophy, also against Germany.

He scored one of the six goals that Barcelona put past Real Madrid in 2009 in a 6-2 win which will go down as one of the club’s greatest ever performances and he lifted all six trophies won by Pep Guardiola in his first full year in charge.

Earlier in his career he had been more ‘Captain Caveman’ than ‘Captain Marvel’ as his rampaging runs from right-back often went hand in hand with defensive negligence but he worked at his concentration and coupled with his leadership qualities and his physical condition he matured into the centre-piece of a Barcelona defence that saw off Manchester United in Rome to win the Champions League in 2009.

Together: Puyol is renowned as one of the men to keep the squad as a close-knit group

Together: Puyol is renowned as one of the men to keep the squad as a close-knit group

Hail the king: Puyol spent 14 seasons in the famous Barcelona strip before calling it a day

Hail the king: Puyol spent 14 seasons in the famous Barcelona strip before calling it a day

On top of the world: Puyol with the World Cup in 2010

On top of the world: Puyol with the World Cup in 2010

The announcement of his retirement came just days after he played his 593rd game for Barcelona meaning only Xavi Hernandez with 709 matches has played more as an outfield player. He surpassed ‘Tarzan’ Migueli whose all-action nickname he inherited.

He should also be credited with reinventing himself. When he arrived at Barcelona as 17-year-old he had played much of his football as a right winger. He went on to play 80 games for the club’s youth team switching to right-back where he made his debut under Louis Van Gaal in 1999.

But it was as a commanding central defender that he really thrived and won the baulk of his 21 trophies. Always in short-sleeves even on the coldest Champions League away nights and always on top of central defensive partner Gerard Pique who said in 2009: 'It’s impossible for me to lose my concentration for even for a second because I always have the same song playing behind me: "Geri Geri Geri". And when I turn around and say to him, "what’s up?" he’ll say "nothing, just stay awake".'

Despite having won every club and country honour possible he will be remembered for far more than just the silverware. He allowed Eric Abidal to lift the European Cup in his place at the 2011 Wembley final after the defender had come back from cancer surgery to play in the win over Manchester United. He also donned a t-shirt in support of the late Real Betis defender Miki Roqué who had also recently been diagnosed with cancer.

 

More...

Human side: Puyol allowed Eric Abidal to lift the 2011 Champions League trophy after battling cancer

Human side: Puyol allowed Eric Abidal to lift the 2011 Champions League trophy after battling cancer

Wait is over: Puyol helped Spain win Euro 2008 and end their long trophy drought

Wait is over: Puyol helped Spain win Euro 2008 and end their long trophy drought

Winner: Puyol with the Club World Cup in 2011

Winner: Puyol with the Club World Cup in 2011

He was as irreverent off the pitch as he was serious on it. He cocked a snoop at UEFA protocol when he took part in their Champions League draw in 2011 dressed in Bermuda shorts and a Barça polo shirt.

But the image of him cutting short a goal celebration dance routine by Thiago and Dani Alves because he felt it was disrespectful to the opposition will also live long in the club’s supporters’ memories.

His greatness will perhaps best be measured by how difficult Barcelona find it to replace him. Puyol’s beginnings as an attacking player meant he was always comfortable coming out from the back with the ball, but first and foremost he was a brave and aggressive defender.

The decision not to replace him at the start of the season, knowing that he would be unable to play every week is already costing the team dearly, especially from corners where Barcelona have received a third of their goals in the league so far.

Supporters will hope that the club sign someone to take his place in the summer and in the meantime will maybe be hoping for one more Puyol miracle that despite two knee operations and four years spent on and off of the treatment table he can somehow find the strength to play a part in some of Barcelona’s biggest games between now and the end of the season.

Emperors of Europe: Puyol with the Champions League trophy in Rome in 2009 after beating United 2-0

Emperors of Europe: Puyol with the Champions League trophy in Rome in 2009 after beating United 2-0

'There are three months left,' he said on Tuesday, 'and I have no intention of dropping my guard before the season ends'. After 14 Herculean campaigns at the club no-one will doubt his sincerity, or his capacity to somehow go out in style.

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That is not Heroic! That word is used too often.

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Respect.

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Massimo Cellino take note! We need this guy....go get him!

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A towering talent in front of the goal. I wish him well in his future endeavors. When U.K. defenders watch him play they must cringe at the realization of how they do not begin to measure up to Puyol's talent, desire and ability to bring about a positive result.

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Incredible player, fantastic career. I don't think it's any coincidence that Barca haven't been as solid since he's been injured - read Keane, Adams, Terry etc!

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Absolute legend for his club and country. The injuries may have taken their toll in recent years, but he's still up there among the best. Good luck to him in his post-Barca activities. I do hope he does play on for a few more years somewhere.

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in the same league as bobby moore franco baresi and maldini, all legends in their own right

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Absolute LEGEND! #5

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The fact that nobody has anything negative to say about the man tells you everything. Absolute class as an athlete and a human being.

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A real class act

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