Carles Puyol bids farewell to his fans at Barcelona

Barcelona stalwart and captain Carles Puyol bid farewell to the club and fans yesterday emphasising that he has “lived the dream of so many young kids”. And how right he was! Puyol takes a bow and hangs up his boots in one of the most glittering careers any centre half as ever seen.

Puyol bows out with six league titles, three Champions League titles and two Copa del Rey trophies to his name – along with a European Championship and World Cup with the national side.How many players these days can boast of a trophy shelf like that?

Puyol took centre stage in a farewell event held in his honour by the Catalan giants. Puyol said: “I would never have thought then that I would have this great career.”

“I’ve lived the dream of so many young kids, doing what I most enjoy in life, playing football and training. I’ve won lots of titles but the most important thing is the human warmth and feeling I take from this club. I came here as a boy and I’m leaving with a family who I’m really proud of.”

“The one thing I have very clear is that I gave my absolute all for Barcelona and for football and I would like to be remembered as a player who did just that – who gave everything, For 19 years I have been able to do what I love. I’ve won many trophies but what will remain with me is the human side of this club.”

An emotional Carles Puyol also shed light on the situation in which he had to say good bye to his beloved club. “We tried everything and I’d like to thank the doctors and physios for everything. We’ve not figured out a way to fix it, but I’ve not given up. I’ll keep trying to sort it out but now without the pressure of having to play.”

Barcelona’s fan bid farewell to Carles Puyol