Carles Puyol is nearing the end of his career no matter how much fans and players will hate it when he finally decides to hang up his boots. Injuries have been something that has always troubled the 35 years old defender and the Spanish defender has admitted that he would like to play until he was 40 but he doesn’t want to be a disturbance for the team.
Puyol said: “I want to continue playing, but I don’t want to be a passenger. The moment I don’t feel okay, I’ll stop, regardless of my contract.”
In these recent few seasons Puyol is being blocked out from the first team as Gerardo Martino usually opts to go with Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano as the preferred combination at the heart of Barcelona’s defence.
Marc Bartra is another candidate that is fighting to find his place into the main squad of Martino and he is looking to be like a promising figure for the upcoming years.
Vicente Del Bosque revealed not too long ago that Puyol is still being taken into consideration for the upcoming 2014 World Cup as it will probably be his last one as well.
‘’Look, no one, absolutely no one, is currently ruled out for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. And much less Carles Puyol. Carles Puyol is a special case for me. What happens will depend on whether you have minutes on the pitch, whether or not you are playing regularly at your club, how you are at the end of season’’.
‘’Carles and other possible call-ups, everyone. I’ve already told him when he was recovering that we would expect him to sharpen. His recovery has been remarkable for the dedication and effort he has put in’’. Del Bosque stated.
Puyol has a contract that runs up until 2016 with Barcelona but it might end sooner if he is not able to snatch a spot in the starting lineup of the coach.