Carles Puyol announces Barcelona summer exit
The captain of FC Barcelona, Carles Puyol has announced that he will leave Barcelona at the end of this season. In a special press-conference organized for the same, Puyol announced his decision to the world, of which the club have already been informed of.
Puyol has been at the club since 1995, and was named the Captain at the end of the 2003-04 season. He has made 682 official appearances for the Barcelona first-team till date, while helping his club lift 21 major titles, which include 6 La Liga titles, along with 3 Champions League trophies and numerous other honours.
His long and illustrious career had been plagued with many injuries in recent years, with the Spaniard undergoing his sixth operation as a professional last year in June, with his knee being the most problematic. The 35-year-old also has 100 international caps for the Spanish National team. Puyol cited the injuries as the reason behind his announcement.
Puyol said: “The motive for this press conference is to inform you that I will leave FC Barcelona at this end of the current season.”
The club knows of my decision. It doesn’t mean that I am leaving today, there are 3 months of the season left to play.
I am tired after so many injury problems and operations. The club will rescind my contract.”
Captain @Carles5puyol announces he will be leaving FC Barcelona at the end of the 2013/14 season #fcblive
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 4, 2014
“There are 3 months of the season left and I won’t be giving up”, says @Carles5puyol #fcblive pic.twitter.com/MJiztda6ix
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 4, 2014