THREE SPANISH FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN TOP 100 WORLD CUP LIST

The English newspaper the "The Guardian" has elaborated & released its "List of Top 100 World Cup Football Players". Three Spanish Football Players are represented within the list:

• Xavi Hernandez Nº15
• Carles Pujol Nº64
• Andres Iniesta Nº65

The voting was done by 6 World Cup ex-players (Barnes, Khune, Matthaus, Oliseh, Smith y Zico), 20 journalists from "The Guardian" & 12 International journalists. The votes from the ex-players had greater weight than the rest.

List of Top 100 World Cup players:

 1. Pele   (3 World Titles in 4 World Cup appearances)
2. Maradona
3. Beckenbauer
4. Ronaldo
5. Zidane
6. Cruyff
7. Matthaus
8. Müller
9. Garrincha
10. Platini
.../...  

15. Xavi
64. Puyol
65. Iniesta
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CARLES PUYOL ANNOUNCES HE WILL LEAVE FC BARCELONA AT THE END OF THIS SEASON

FC Barcelona Captain Carles Puyol announced today a surprise press conference that called in all the Spanish media at 16.00 local time. The FC Barcelona player made a short statement communicating officially that he will leave the Club at the end of this season, that is on the 30th of June, & renounces the two years left of his contract.

The player cited his knee injuries as the cause which has lead him to drop his form. The FC Barcelona Captain considers that the Club demands players at 100% physical condition & that he cannot give what is needed to maintain himself at the highest level.

Carles Puyol has been at Barcelona 19 seasons, he made his debut with the first team in 1999 to become a Club legend winning every collective title in Football possible at Club level & with the Spanish National Team.

The defender commented that he would like to make a final press conference at the end of the season to say goodbye to everyone & answer all the questions that journalists may have on their mind. For the moment Puyol has not talked about his future after FC Barcelona.

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FC BARCELONA CENTRAL DEFENDER WOES

Brazilian International & Chelsea FC defender David Luiz is occupying the Spanish Sports papers after news from England comments that FC Barcelona has made a 40M€ offer for the defender. Contradictory news, because from Barcelona that figure is close to 25M€ which should not really surprise us as these numbers are often distorted. The case is that David Luiz seems to be the man chosen by Barça to fill the Central Defensive position they wish so "desperately" to solve. The interesting thing is that David Luiz is better suited as a defensive midfielder as one of his main criticisms as a strict defender is his attacking tendency which leaves aside his defensive tactical obligations.

Thing is Chelsea FC has rejected the first offer. What is not clear is if Chelsea FC is looking for a higher bid ( offer ) or if Coach Jose Mourinho wishes Luiz to stay at Chelsea FC. The "sudden" withdrawal from yesterdays Real Madrid pre-season match has raised speculations that negotiations may in fact be advancing. One would expect that if FC Barcelona are really serious about signing David Luiz that they will soon make another offer, although it does not look easy or certain.

Meanwhile, FC Barcelona keeps "open" a second front just in case. Their Plan B is Liverpool FC Danish defender Daniel Agger where Barça maintains the name on their table. But some insiders suggest that the best plan may just be recovering from injury as soon as possible Carles Puyol. Thus getting their Captain back in form asap will earn Barça money, time & effort. 

Stay tuned!
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SPANISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM | 100 CAPS CLUB

The match between SPAIN & URUGUAY yesterday was more than just a Friendly International for Spanish Football Player CARLES PUYOL. It was the night he joined an elite group of Spanish Football Players that have reached the 100th International Cap mark. The FC Barcelona Captain has already been showered with praises - & rightly so - for his personality, contribution & dedication to the Spanish National Football Team. The information piece is that he joins 6 more Spanish Football Players to become the 7th & to let you now who are all those other players.

Puyol : courtesy reuters

1 Iker Casillas 2000– 143 International Caps
2 Andoni Zubizarreta 1985–1998 126
3 Xavi Hernández 2000– 119
4 Xabi Alonso 2003– 106
5 Raúl González 1996–2006 102
6 Fernando Torres 2003– 101
7 Carles Puyol 2000– 100

Real Madrid goalkeeper IKER CASILLAS is the most Internationally Capped Spanish Player in the History of the National Football Team. He currently holds an amazing 143 Caps & will keep accumulating more in coming years. The others are household names & as we can see Puyol is the "new boy" of the list.

Just outside this elite group is Real Madrid defender SERGIO RAMOS who is currently sitting 8th place with 99 caps. He will soon the the 8th Spanish Football Player to join the 100 Club.

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SPANISH FOOTBALL | CARLES PUYOL CLOSE TO HIS 100 TH INTERNATIONAL CAP

This post is more about a person & a Football professional that deserves a post & a mention, a special mention. FC BARCELONA Captain & Spanish International defender CARLES PUYOL has been called up today by Spanish National Team Selector & Coach Vicente Del Bosque. The Spanish team will play Uruguay in an International Friendly next Wednesday in Qatar. The news is that if Carles Puyol gets a run in that game it will be his 100 th International Cap with Spain, & this deserves a mention.

Carles Puyol

There are few players in Spanish Football that receive the admiration from all sides of Spanish Football. Carles Puyol has won that "honour" with his play, dedication, spirit, sense of honour & leadership. Admired at Camp Barça, the player receives the same accolades from Real Madrid fans as from any other Club here or around the World. 

His list of achievements are unquestionable; World & European champion, Champions League, Super Cup, Spanish Cup, World Clubs...etc y etc. Plus he is considered one of the best defenders in World Football.

The last couple of years injury has hampered the man but his personality & drive brings him back with the same enthusiasm as any youngster. His age of 34 does not seem to be wearing out the defender, the man has said that he would like to play until 38 - 40 years of age. We will need to see. Until then lets enjoy this player & send a sincere congratulations for his 100 th International Cap with Spain - if he plays - something I don´t doubt from Coach Del Bosque who will give him the honour at some stage of the match.

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CARLES PUYOL | THE FOOTBALL IRON MAN

Found this marvellous infograph in the Spanish Sports & Barcelona based paper "Sport" dedicated to one of Spanish Football great examples & players: CARLES PUYOL. The FC BARCELONA defender & Captain, plus Spanish International is currently 34 years of age & is "sadly" entering the twilight of his career.

But the man has surpassed & overcome many bad Football moments & injuries to keep on going at the maximum level which has put him up there with the "Best Defenders in World Football".

The below image shows all the areas of the body that Puyol has suffered an injury - 22 times, 22 miracles. It´s in Spanish but easily understood with blue ( total injuries of the area ) , red ( total number of days out of action) & yellow ( days out of action due to the specific illustrated injury) .

A true Football warrior, survivor, competitor & leader: The Football IRON MAN.

Carles Puyol

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CARLES PUYOL WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY MISS EURO 2012

As the SPANISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE season comes to a close the upcoming EURO 2012 Championship beings taking over the spotlight. The SPANISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM goes in as defending European Champions & FIFA World Champions & thus are considered "hot favourites".

However today we all received some bad news as FC BARCELONA & Spanish International defender CARLES PUYOL announced that he will be submitted to a knee intervention in the coming days that will sideline him for the following 6 - 7 weeks.

Carles Puyol

This means that he basically will miss the upcoming Euro 2012 Championship. A big blow to the Spanish National Football Team as it loses one of the Best defenders in European Football, with all the experience & leadership qualities that would have helped so much SPAIN attempt the maintain the European Nations crown. 


The natural substitute is Real Madrid player SERGIO RAMOS along with another possibility in JAVI MARTINEZ of Athletic Club Bilbao.

From here we wish Puyol a speedy recovery.

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FC BARCELONA PLAYER CARLES PUYOL REACHES 500 GAMES

FC BARCELONA player CARLES PUYOL , alias "Captain Invincible" or "El Tiburón" (The Shark), celebrates his 500 th game for the only Club in his Sporting career. From here, I wish the Spanish International & Football player a "Happy Match" & may he play more games.

Carles Puyol lifts 2010 
Joan Gamper Trophy

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CARLES PUYOL ANNOUNCES HE WILL CONTINUE 2 MORE YEARS WITH SPANISH NATIONAL TEAM

Spanish Football Sports Blog
FC Barcelona & Spanish International defender CARLES PUYOL has announced that he will continue defending the colours of the Spanish National Football Team two more years. This means he will stay available for “call ups” until 2012 when the European Nations Cup takes place & will be celebrated under the dual hosts Poland /Ukraine.

Spanish National Selector & Coach Vicente Del Bosque has convinced Puyol to continue & reach the 100 International Caps mark. Currently Carles Puyol has 90 International Caps with the Spanish Team. Tweet

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SPAIN WORLD CUP TEAM 2010 | VIDEO OF ALL THE GOALS

In case you were on the moon all last month & missed the performance of the SPANISH FOOTBALL NATIONAL TEAM & the 2010 FIFA World Cup :o) Here is a video of all the eight goals scored by the SPAIN WORLD CUP TEAM & WORLD CHAMPIONS:

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SIX SPANISH PLAYERS & COACH DEL BOSQUE MAKE UP THE 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP DREAM TEAM - BEST XI

Source: Spanish Football Sports Blog/
FIFA has included up to six SPANISH FOOTBALL TEAM players ( plus Coach Del Bosque) to make up its BEST XI Team for the 2010 WORLD CUP Tournament. What has grabbed everyone attention is the absence of the big names, which isn´t a big surprise as the likes of Cristaino Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka, ... etc have not shone in this World Cup & their respective teams were eliminated relatively early.

This is the FIFA 2010 World Cup "Dream Team" / "Best XI" team:

Iker Casillas (SP), Maicon (BRA), Sergio Ramos (SP) , Carles Puyol (SP) , Lahm (GER), Wesley Sneijder (HOL), Xavi Hernandez (SP) , Andres Iniesta (SP) , Schweinsteiger (GER), Diego Forlan (URU) & David Villa (SP)

Coach : Vicente Del Bosque (SP) Tweet

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SPANISH DEFENDER CARLES PUYOL TO STEP ASIDE FROM THE NATIONAL TEAM

Latest news: Puyol will play against Mexico in August before making a final decision. Spanish Coach Del Bosque is attempting to convince Puyol to reach at least 100 International Caps. I hope he decides to stay.

FC BARCELONA player & Spanish International Central Defender CARLES PUYOL is set to leave, better said, retire from the SPANISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM. The 32 year old player wishes to leave at the top of the success story after winning the 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP with the National Team. Puyol wants to concentrate his energies in extending his Football career & efforts with Barça & leaving a space open in the Spanish defence for a younger talent. Considered as one of the Worlds Best Defenders, Carles Puyol has a admirable 90 International Caps with Spain & a list of mayor titles that are the envy of most Football players.

Spanish Football Authorities, including Coach Del Bosque, have attempted to change the mind of the FC Barcelona player but according to most Sports media Puyol has already made the decision to step aside. The natural replacement is REAL MADRID defender RAUL ALBIOL who was part of the 23 players list of the newly crowned FIFA WORLD CHAMPIONS. However, there is a long line of aspiring young candidates that will make securing the position left vacant by Puyol & difficult task. Amorebieta (25 yrs, Ath Bilbao), Alexis (25, Valencia), Alvaro Domínguez (21, At.Madrid ), Victor Ruiz (21, Espanyol)…just to mention a few, will be knocking at the door in any future Spanish Team selection list. Tweet

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FC BARCELONA: CARLES PUYOL PLAN B FOR MANCHESTER CITY?

MANCHESTER CITY has its eye & bank account aimed at CHELSEA
FC Captain & Central defender JOHN TERRY. To tempt the England
International to leave London the salary promise is that he will be
the highest paid player in the World, more than Ronaldo of Real
Madrid with 13M€/year. Chelsea FC is not going to sell, but
Manchester City has a PLAN B

FC BARCRELONA Captain CARLES PUYOL is the chosen alternative
in case Manchester City is unable to convince John Therry, according
to the English paper “The Sun”. This plan may well be more
complicated as Puyol is a Barça symbol & Captain, plus is on the verge
of extending his contract two more years which will be accompanied
with an economic improvement. SFS believes that it is unlikely that
Plan B will go ahead, if Plan A fails, which is not an impossibility as
pointed out by British media.

Said this, one feels that Puyol is nearly impossible & M.City knows
it.So the latest news is that there is a PLAN C: Brazilian Captain
LUCIO, according to the "Daily Mail"
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