Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol Saforcada (Catalan: [ˈkaɾləs puˈjɔl səfuɾˈkaðə], Spanish: [ˈkaɾles puˈʝol safoɾˈkaða]; born 13 April 1978) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played his entire career for Barcelona. He mainly played as a centre-back, but he could also play in either full-back position, mostly as a right-back.
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Puyol at the 2020 Goya Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Carles Puyol Saforcada | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 13 April 1978 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | La Pobla de Segur, Spain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | 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) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Known for his defensive qualities and leadership, Puyol is regarded as one of the greatest defenders and captains of all time. His abilities and prowess on the field earned him the nickname of "El Tiburón" ("The Shark") by teammates and fans. He was Barcelona's captain from August 2004 until his retirement in 2014, and appeared in 593 competitive matches for the club. He won 18 major club titles, including six La Liga trophies and three Champions Leagues.
Puyol won 100 caps for Spain, and was part of the squads that won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. In the 2010 World Cup semi-final, he scored the only goal of the game against Germany.