Puyol fit and raring to go for Clasico clash

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has insisted he is ready to face Real Madrid on Saturday should he be selected by Gerardo Martino, despite playing just one game since returning from knee surgery.

Puyol made his comeback after seven months out in the 0-0 draw with Osasuna last weekend and completed the 90 minutes without any physical problems.

Martino reverted to his tried and trusted central defensive partnership of Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano for the 1-1 Champions League draw with AC Milan on Tuesday.

However, with Pique struggling with a hamstring strain, Puyol is readying himself to make his first appearance at the Camp Nou since March.

"Just to return to training with my teammates and be feeling good is a great joy for me so imagine what it would be like to be involved in a Clasico," he said.

"It is a game that everyone wants to play in, I just have to prepare myself and wait to see what the manager decides.

"During the Osasuna game I felt very good sensations.

"Afterwards, I had my doubts as to how the knee would react, but in the recovery sessions everything went well."

With Barca already holding a three point advantage over Real at the top of La Liga, a win for the Catalans would be a serious blow to Madrid's title hopes.

However, Puyol insists that nothing will be decided on Saturday with 28 league games still to come.

"There is a long way to go and the league will not be resolved in the Clasico, but it is a good match to gain confidence.

"People speak about the game a huge amount before, after they analyse everything, but in the end it is another game of football with three points up for grabs.

"Madrid is always a team that demands the most of you. They have great players and they arrive with confidence."

Puyol back in Barca squad after seven months out

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has been cleared to make his return to action against Osasuna on Saturday after a seven-month absence following two knee operations.

The 35-year-old missed the final few months of last season after first going under the knife in March and his comeback was delayed by a second operation to remove a cyst from the same knee in June.

The Spanish international has been back training with his teammates for a number of weeks and his return to the squad is a welcome boost for Gerardo Martino with Barca facing seven games in the next 23 days.

Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano have also been passed fit after overcoming the muscular injuries that kept them out of Argentina's final two World Cup qualifiers last week.

However, Gerard Pique, Alexis Sanchez and Dani Alves have all been left out of Martino's 18-man squad for the trip to Pamplona after playing twice for their national sides in the past week.

Puyol could be fit for pre-season - doctor

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona's club doctor Ricard Pruna said on Wednesday that he was hopeful that Carles Puyol will be fit to start pre-season training after the defender had a cyst removed from his knee.

The operation was just the latest in a long list of injury setbacks for the 35-year-old, who has not played since undergoing more serious knee surgery back in March.

But Pruna was confident that the Spanish international has overcome the worst of his injury troubles and will be ready to start training with his teammates when they return from holiday next month.

"The objective is that Puyol will be able to start training on July 15 or 16 with the rest of the squad," he told a press conference.

"Puyol interrupted and sacrificed what remained of his holidays to end the problems that have dragged on. He wants to arrive at pre-season at 100 percent."

Pruna meanwhile was also asked about the physical condition of Barca's latest big-name signing, Neymar.

The Brazilian wonderkid, who is currently on international duty with his country at the Confederations Cup, cost the Catalans 57 million euros ($76.2 million, £48.6 million) to buy him from Santos.

However, concerns remain that the 21-year-old may be too lightweight for the transition to European football and Pruna admitted that he may need to bulk up once he arrives back in Barcelona.

"We did a medical at full speed and the weight is just another statistic. Throughout the season we are going to get to know the player and we will be constantly taking data," he said.

"With this we can determine what is his ideal weight. The first impression is that a weight of 64.5 (kilos, 142 lbs, 10.2 stone) is on the low side and perhaps he needs a kilo more, but I can't say exactly how much."

Injury-plagued Puyol rules out retirement

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona's talismanic defender Carles Puyol, who has been plagued by a spate of injury problems, said Wednesday he has no intention of retiring and was instead hoping to extend his contract with the Spanish champions.

The 35-year-old Spanish international has not played since he underwent a serious operation on his right knee in March.

He had another operation on the same knee in May to remove a Baker's cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst - a benign swelling that occurs behind the knee joint - prompting speculation that he could put an end to his football career.

But asked by Catalan sports daily El Mundo Deportivo if he was going to retire, Puyol said: "Now is not the moment. I am not going to retire. As much as I have suffered, the excitement and the eagerness to play remain.

"If next season I am not fit and something similar happens to me I will consider it,but right now I feel that I want to carry out my contract and, if I can, extend it," he added in an interview published in the online edition of the newspaper.

"I am recovering slowly but progressing very well. This operation is not like the others. The post operation period is more painful but the recovery is faster."

Puyol, whose current contract with Barcelona runs until June 2016, said he was not sure if he would continue to make international appearances for Spain.

"My plan is to recover from my knee surgery and next season we will see. I will always take the decision that is best for Barcelona. I have a good relationship with (Spain coach Vicente) del Bosque, I will not take a final decision (on his international future) or say anything until I talk to him," he said.

Puyol is a product of Barcelona´s youth academy and has spent his entire career at the club.

Puyol to undergo another knee surgery

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol is to undergo knee surgery to remove a cyst, the club confirmed on Tuesday.

"Carles Puyol will on Wednesday morning undergo a surgical intervention to remove a Baker's cyst that he has in his right knee," said a statement on the club's website.

A Baker's cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a benign swelling that occurs behind the knee joint.

Barca did though confirm that the player should only be out of action for three to four weeks, meaning who could return in time for the start of the club's first pre-season friendly against Lech Gdansk in Poland on July 20.

Puyol has endured a frustrating season with a variety of injuries restricting him to just 22 appearances.

And the 35-year-old even admitted last month that he could even consider retiring in the coming months should he fail to recover from more serious knee surgery he underwent back in March.

Puyol to undergo another knee surgery

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol is to undergo knee surgery to remove a cyst, the club confirmed on Tuesday.

"Carles Puyol will on Wednesday morning undergo a surgical intervention to remove a Baker's cyst that he has in his right knee," said a statement on the club's website.

A Baker's cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a benign swelling that occurs behind the knee joint.

Barca did though confirm that the player should only be out of action for three to four weeks, meaning who could return in time for the start of the club's first pre-season friendly against Lech Gdansk in Poland on July 20.

Puyol has endured a frustrating season with a variety of injuries restricting him to just 22 appearances.

And the 35-year-old even admitted last month that he could even consider retiring in the coming months should he fail to recover from more serious knee surgery he underwent back in March.

Puyol could be fit for pre-season - doctor

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona's club doctor Ricard Pruna said on Wednesday that he was hopeful that Carles Puyol will be fit to start pre-season training after the defender had a cyst removed from his knee.

The operation was just the latest in a long list of injury setbacks for the 35-year-old, who has not played since undergoing more serious knee surgery back in March.

But Pruna was confident that the Spanish international has overcome the worst of his injury troubles and will be ready to start training with his teammates when they return from holiday next month.

"The objective is that Puyol will be able to start training on July 15 or 16 with the rest of the squad," he told a press conference.

"Puyol interrupted and sacrificed what remained of his holidays to end the problems that have dragged on. He wants to arrive at pre-season at 100 percent."

Pruna meanwhile was also asked about the physical condition of Barca's latest big-name signing, Neymar.

The Brazilian wonderkid, who is currently on international duty with his country at the Confederations Cup, cost the Catalans 57 million euros ($76.2 million, £48.6 million) to buy him from Santos.

However, concerns remain that the 21-year-old may be too lightweight for the transition to European football and Pruna admitted that he may need to bulk up once he arrives back in Barcelona.

"We did a medical at full speed and the weight is just another statistic. Throughout the season we are going to get to know the player and we will be constantly taking data," he said.

"With this we can determine what is his ideal weight. The first impression is that a weight of 64.5 (kilos, 142 lbs, 10.2 stone) is on the low side and perhaps he needs a kilo more, but I can't say exactly how much."

Injury-plagued Puyol rules out retirement

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona's talismanic defender Carles Puyol, who has been plagued by a spate of injury problems, said Wednesday he has no intention of retiring and was instead hoping to extend his contract with the Spanish champions.

The 35-year-old Spanish international has not played since he underwent a serious operation on his right knee in March.

He had another operation on the same knee in May to remove a Baker's cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst - a benign swelling that occurs behind the knee joint - prompting speculation that he could put an end to his football career.

But asked by Catalan sports daily El Mundo Deportivo if he was going to retire, Puyol said: "Now is not the moment. I am not going to retire. As much as I have suffered, the excitement and the eagerness to play remain.

"If next season I am not fit and something similar happens to me I will consider it,but right now I feel that I want to carry out my contract and, if I can, extend it," he added in an interview published in the online edition of the newspaper.

"I am recovering slowly but progressing very well. This operation is not like the others. The post operation period is more painful but the recovery is faster."

Puyol, whose current contract with Barcelona runs until June 2016, said he was not sure if he would continue to make international appearances for Spain.

"My plan is to recover from my knee surgery and next season we will see. I will always take the decision that is best for Barcelona. I have a good relationship with (Spain coach Vicente) del Bosque, I will not take a final decision (on his international future) or say anything until I talk to him," he said.

Puyol is a product of Barcelona´s youth academy and has spent his entire career at the club.

Puyol to undergo another knee surgery

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol is to undergo knee surgery to remove a cyst, the club confirmed on Tuesday.

"Carles Puyol will on Wednesday morning undergo a surgical intervention to remove a Baker's cyst that he has in his right knee," said a statement on the club's website.

A Baker's cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a benign swelling that occurs behind the knee joint.

Barca did though confirm that the player should only be out of action for three to four weeks, meaning who could return in time for the start of the club's first pre-season friendly against Lech Gdansk in Poland on July 20.

Puyol has endured a frustrating season with a variety of injuries restricting him to just 22 appearances.

And the 35-year-old even admitted last month that he could even consider retiring in the coming months should he fail to recover from more serious knee surgery he underwent back in March.

Puyol could be fit for pre-season - doctor

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona's club doctor Ricard Pruna said on Wednesday that he was hopeful that Carles Puyol will be fit to start pre-season training after the defender had a cyst removed from his knee.

The operation was just the latest in a long list of injury setbacks for the 35-year-old, who has not played since undergoing more serious knee surgery back in March.

But Pruna was confident that the Spanish international has overcome the worst of his injury troubles and will be ready to start training with his teammates when they return from holiday next month.

"The objective is that Puyol will be able to start training on July 15 or 16 with the rest of the squad," he told a press conference.

"Puyol interrupted and sacrificed what remained of his holidays to end the problems that have dragged on. He wants to arrive at pre-season at 100 percent."

Pruna meanwhile was also asked about the physical condition of Barca's latest big-name signing, Neymar.

The Brazilian wonderkid, who is currently on international duty with his country at the Confederations Cup, cost the Catalans 57 million euros ($76.2 million, £48.6 million) to buy him from Santos.

However, concerns remain that the 21-year-old may be too lightweight for the transition to European football and Pruna admitted that he may need to bulk up once he arrives back in Barcelona.

"We did a medical at full speed and the weight is just another statistic. Throughout the season we are going to get to know the player and we will be constantly taking data," he said.

"With this we can determine what is his ideal weight. The first impression is that a weight of 64.5 (kilos, 142 lbs, 10.2 stone) is on the low side and perhaps he needs a kilo more, but I can't say exactly how much."

Puyol considering retirement after knee op

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona's talismanic defender Carles Puyol said on Friday he is considering retirement after a glittering career, but added he has never entertained the thought of playing for another club.

After a career in which he has won everything in both domestic and international football, Puyol has run into a spate of injury problems and at 35-years-old may decide to bring down the curtain on a glittering career.

But while he admits he has considered the possibility his playing days are up, he has not consider a move away from Catalonia, contrary to press rumours he might be heading to Italy.

"To go to AC Milan was something I never thought about. But did I think that I might not be able to continue, that yes," said the long-haired defender opponents would be happy to see the back off.

"I would like to go to the end of my three year contract and even extend it if possible. I always said I wanted to play until I am 40 but what would please me is to retire from the game at Barcelona."

A serious knee operation has kept the Spanish international out of action since Barcelona crushed AC Milan 4-0 in their Champions League second-leg to reach the semi-finals and he expects the recovery process could be a lengthy one.

"After the operation (March 15), the doctor told me I could play again in 45 weeks but he also told me to rest a lot longer maybe even four or five months. I realised after four to six weeks, I couldn't even walk." added Puyol.

"The idea is to continue to work hard and try to get back to 100 per cent so I'm ready for pre-season training.

Puyol considering retirement after knee op

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona's talismanic defender Carles Puyol said on Friday he is considering retirement after a glittering career, but added he has never entertained the thought of playing for another club.

After a career in which he has won everything in both domestic and international football, Puyol has run into a spate of injury problems and at 35-years-old may decide to bring down the curtain on a glittering career.

But while he admits he has considered the possibility his playing days are up, he has not consider a move away from Catalonia, contrary to press rumours he might be heading to Italy.

"To go to AC Milan was something I never thought about. But did I think that I might not be able to continue, that yes," said the long-haired defender opponents would be happy to see the back off.

"I would like to go to the end of my three year contract and even extend it if possible. I always said I wanted to play until I am 40 but what would please me is to retire from the game at Barcelona."

A serious knee operation has kept the Spanish international out of action since Barcelona crushed AC Milan 4-0 in their Champions League second-leg to reach the semi-finals and he expects the recovery process could be a lengthy one.

"After the operation (March 15), the doctor told me I could play again in 45 weeks but he also told me to rest a lot longer maybe even four or five months. I realised after four to six weeks, I couldn't even walk." added Puyol.

"The idea is to continue to work hard and try to get back to 100 per cent so I'm ready for pre-season training.

Puyol considering retirement after knee op

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona's talismanic defender Carles Puyol said on Friday he is considering retirement after a glittering career, but added he has never entertained the thought of playing for another club.

After a career in which he has won everything in both domestic and international football, Puyol has run into a spate of injury problems and at 35-years-old may decide to bring down the curtain on a glittering career.

But while he admits he has considered the possibility his playing days are up, he has not consider a move away from Catalonia, contrary to press rumours he might be heading to Italy.

"To go to AC Milan was something I never thought about. But did I think that I might not be able to continue, that yes," said the long-haired defender opponents would be happy to see the back off.

"I would like to go to the end of my three year contract and even extend it if possible. I always said I wanted to play until I am 40 but what would please me is to retire from the game at Barcelona."

A serious knee operation has kept the Spanish international out of action since Barcelona crushed AC Milan 4-0 in their Champions League second-leg to reach the semi-finals and he expects the recovery process could be a lengthy one.

"After the operation (March 15), the doctor told me I could play again in 45 weeks but he also told me to rest a lot longer maybe even four or five months. I realised after four to six weeks, I couldn't even walk." added Puyol.

"The idea is to continue to work hard and try to get back to 100 per cent so I'm ready for pre-season training.