CARLES PUYOL

CARLES PUYOL THE INSPIRING LEADER

 As club captain at the start of 2004-05. His first season as skipper ended with Barca claiming the Liga title. The next year they won both La Liga and the Champions League. After Guardiola replaced Frank Rijkaard as coach, Puyol lifted all six trophies available in the calendar year 2009: La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercopa, Champions League, European Super Cup and World Club Cup.

Guardiola, Xavi, Iniesta and Lionel Messi took many of the plaudits, but Puyol's contribution was just as important as anyone else's. There was something almost cliched about his flowing mane, pumping fists and inspirational roars, but nobody doubted that his winning attitude was contagious. Although short for a center back, and not the fastest, he was commanding on both the ground and in the air. There was always plenty of aggression and full commitment, but Puyol was not a dirty player, being sent off only twice in his whole career.

His character most famously came through when he invited Eric Abidal to join him in lifting the Champions League trophy at Wembley in May 2011, just weeks after the French defender underwent a liver transplant.Everybody gave respect to Abidal and then for sure to the capt of the Catalan who gave so much inspiring moments to all of us

The 36-year-old was retiring after 593 games for Barca, during which he won 21 trophies all as captain.He always be inspiring capt in history of the club.