Today, Barcelona's captain Carles Puyol announced that he will be retiring from the team at the end of the season. Fans of Barca known as cules from around the world collectively sighed, and many probably shed tears. This is because Puyol was more than a player. He was the heart and soul of this Barca team in the past 15 years.
Puyol came to La Masia, the fabled Barca academy as a young man at the age of 17. He worked his way up through the ranks and had his first team debut in 1999. He soon became a regular fixture in central defense not only for Barca but also for the Spanish national team.
During his career, he played a significant part in his teams' successes, and he won every single team trophy available to him. These trophies include: 6 from the Spanish League, 3 from the European Champions League, 1 from the 2008 European Championship, and 1 from the 2010 World Cup.
However it was not just what Puyol won that makes him so special. It was how he won. He gave everything to his team and constantly sacrificed his body. He had some 30 plus injuries shown below.
Despite this, he always came back and did so with the roar of a lion. He exuded professionalism and dedication to the game and his teammates. He is truly one in a million and irreplaceable.
He is also smart enough to know that he has entered the winter of his career and that it is impossible for him to maintain the form that made his the best defender in the world just a few years ago.
At thirty-five, he probably still has over half his life yet to live, and he has many things to live for. These include his beautiful partner Vanessa and his new daughter Manuela.
I do not know what Capita's next move will be. Selfishly, I hope he retires from the game after his last match with Barca. I hope he takes over coaching at La Masia so that he can help mould and inspire a new generations of players. However, no matter what he decides, Puyol will leave Barca knowing that he gave his all to this club. For that, we cules are all grateful.
Gracies Capita!
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