18 times Carles Puyol showed the world why he’s so loved in Barcelona

Today Carles Puyol announced that he will be leaving Barcelona at the end of the season, possibly to play in the MLS. This seemingly brings an end to an incredible career at the club where Puyol survived manager after manager and captained the club through three Champions League victories despite not really fitting in with the ball-playing philosophy the whole time. His combative approach and unusual hair has led to him being called the caveman, the wall and tarzan; here we look at some of the reasons why.

1. Puyol doesn’t need a blanket

2. He absolutely hates excessive celebration

3. He has no time for Pique’s nonsense

4. But he knew his role in the team

“The players around me, they are the superstars,” Puyol told France’s So Foot magazine. “I don’t have Romario’s technique, [Marc] Overmars’ pace or [Patrick] Kluivert’s strength. But I work harder than the others. I’m like the student who is not as clever, but revises for his exams and does OK in the end.”
(via SportsIllustrated)

5. Back when him and Xavi would chill on thecalles, he looked like an extra from Home & Away.

6. “Oooh, John, that really ‘urt”

7. He scored an absolute thunderbolt of a header against Germany in the 2010 World Cup.

http://youtu.be/ouPHhkgg–M

8. He put Alexandre Song firmly in his place

9. He injured virtually every part of his body playing for Barca

If you don’t speak Spanish, the jist of the video is that he got hurt a lot.

10. He made a kid’s eyes go funny

11. Like, really funny

12. He got slapped and didn’t care

http://youtu.be/ElCGaP05za8

13. He won things. Lots of things

He’s won 6 La Liga titles, 2 Copa Del Rays, 6 Supercopa Espanas, 3 Champions Leagues, 2 Super Cup, 2 World Club Cup, 1 World Cup, 1 European Championship, as well as appearing in UEFA team of the year 6 times and the FIFA/FIFPro XI 3 times. So yeah.

14. He likes to warm up for games listening to Napalm Death.

Lovely bunch.

15. He did himself a nasty and really didn’t seem THAT fussed

http://youtu.be/X-PGiFXkYHU

16. He loves Catalunya and the Basque region

17. His incredibly panicky but efficient defending against Ronaldo made El Clasico captivating

http://youtu.be/YTJzZNn9YNk

18. He was named the 19th ugliest athlete of all time by Complex Sports, which is hideously unfair.

We love you Carles…