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.

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 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.