The life story of Carles Puyol

Name: Carles Puyol Savorkada,,

Date of Birth: 04/13/1978 ((29)),,

Place of Birth: Not Puebla de Saegior: Catalonia, Spain,,

Height: 179 cm,

Weight: 79 kg,

Position: central defender,,

Team: Spain,,

Club: Barcelona,

Number: 5,,

Title: the heart of lion,

 

Definition of the ideal commander :: 

Carles Puyol Savorkada team leader Barcelona, ​​the current and one of the most important pillars of the team was born in 1978 in the month of the thirteenth of April, Puyol player Kthelona He was born in this county has such team Ketlona past and but fables currently represents Spain was represented in more than one occasion in the World Cup 2006 and in Euro 2004 and the Olympic Games in 2000 and 2002 and played for the team more than 60 international matches, he began the practice of the ball with the young Barcelona was not striking, but with Barcelona B, and he was Anmalk 17 years when he joined the Group B to but fables of the club Ketlona stages of smaller ones, in prefix is played with the small club in his village and was the status of the attacker, but he had been seriously injured and away bringing the play as a goalkeeper is not proven in a particular center, but that when he came to Barcelona b epicenter is the original right axis and excelled in this position and expressed his brilliant and clear and the family of Puyol is Kthelonah purely the one where his ancestors were from the former founders of the club and who met with Juan Gamper of the founding of the club Ketlona.

! By a thousand miles starts with a step!

After he was playing Puyol in the goalkeeper, after joining Barcelona B settled on a position which is "right back" and sometimes in the heart of the defense, he loves the club a lot is encouraged from an early age and in his first season with Barcelona for the young was unsuccessful and played only one game to but fables did not give up and continued and persevered until he came to the season that followed and adapted Puyol with the atmosphere just did not abandon him coach because he knows and sees in it innate talent big Vobda Puyol and developed the capacity of the same and book him a seat a key team to astonish the world his talent and opens it attention has impressed greatly, Luft and played most of the season for the team Barcelona has not gone unnoticed only two games, was impressed by the coach, "Louis van Gaal," by then and thought to sign him, but the coach rational did not want to blow his talent or rather does not want sticky suddenly Vttadmr his talent he wanted to be involved gradually even rebuking adults and already thrown in the first match against the "Valladolid" and the team won Ketlona that match 2/0 and Puyol was very afraid .. Not because he does not have the experience or fear of the media, but was afraid to lose the team or tied and holds the media and the coach and the players responsibility to him or Van Gaal Blomanm him because he is small and should not be playing with the first team but Puyol made what it was his fate, however, his colleagues were able to win and the joy of Puyol Farahtan Booze and showed in that game great ferocity and strength of a huge crowd loved him and that day is crazy and fired him the title "Lion Heart" and it was in season 199/20

2006 :: .. Barcelona with Puyol accomplishments only ::

Season 2005/2006 In 2006, Barcelona did not do anything but championships never .. In this season, managed Barcelona, ​​the opening of this season, championship Super Liga win over Real Betis and then shine Puyol with his colleagues in the leadership team for the platform championships Vobda the team and presented a most beautiful seasons at all was it not even better, after great difficulty and fatigue long and training hard and the work continued and matches out including team victorious and achieved impressive results, most notably Alkhmacat continuing where he won the Sociedad 5/0 LIVE won the club Udinese Italian 5/0 also in Aitar Champions League play groups, and achieved Barcelona in this year's title of the best attack on a Europe-wide level of brilliant and attack a bullet compelling, and in the most expensive and sweeter tournaments could Puyol and his colleagues steadily walk towards the railway victories Fbdaha the role of groups and have moved beyond the face of traditional and Alklasekh with Chelsea, who brought them out last year of the Champions League and this time the team wants to take revenge and actually that was the piece after he took out Chelsea on aggregate 3/2 and went then to find a surprise season, Benfica and win by 2/0 and goes beyond to find Italian leader and testing more difficult to AC Milan to win the 1/0 Balsan Siro and drawn clean LIVE to qualify Ketlona to the final after he took out two teams of candidates for the championship and two Chelsea and AC Milan and saw the whole world to Barcelona, ​​entitlement, and they came for the final The dream was entices Puyol to lift the Gold Cup has not seen the club only once in 92 and in the final ABT heroes only to achieve victory and the deserved and maturity did Malk and overturned the table at the head of Arsenal in the final to win the Ketlona 2/1 and carries Puyol expensive cups, was not this tournament is the only in this season as the club could be crowned Spanish league title for the time history after the 18 defeated Celta Vigo 1/0.

:: Achievements and titles ::

La Liga ((2004/2005)),,

Super Spanish ((2005/2006)),,

La Liga ((2005/2006)),,

Champions League ((2005/2006)),,

Super Spanish ((2006/2007)),,

Bayer keep faith with duo

Bayer Leverkusen have named Sami Hyypia and Sascha Lewandowski as their new management team on a full-time basis.

The pair took over for the final six games of the season following the dismissal of Robin Dutt.

Under their leadership Bayer took 14 points out of a possible 18 and the duo have done enough to convince club bosses to appoint them on permanent deals.

"Sascha Lewandowski and Sami Hyypia proved in their six games this season that they could lead this team with a blend of competence, charisma, hard work and relaxation," said Leverkusen's general manager Wolfgang Holzhauser.

"This refreshing combination gives us reason to look into the future optimistically.

"With the duo of Lewandowski ad Hyypia, we want to further cement our place in the top third of the Bundesliga with the aim of qualifying for European competition."

Cech - Bayern are favourites

Petr Cech considers Chelsea to be underdogs in the UEFA Champions League final, but believes pressure will weigh heavy on Bayern Munich.

The Blues face the German giants on 19th May, with the biggest prize in European club football up for grabs.

Roberto Di Matteo's side have, in disposing of Barcelona in the semi-finals, already shown that they have what it takes to claim continental glory for the first time in their history.

They will, however, have to see off Bayern on their own patch if they are to get their hands on the trophy, with the final set to be staged at the Allianz Arena.

"It's a final and you would think that the chances are 50-50, but to play at your own stadium and have your own dressing room is a huge advantage," Chelsea keeper Cech told CTK.

"This coincidence of events has made Bayern the favourites. We will try to outsmart them in some way."

Aguero - All about City now

Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero believes this is just the beginning after firing the club to the Premier League title.

Aguero's stoppage-time winner against QPR on Sunday saw City, and not Manchester United, crowned champions with just seconds of the season remaining.

And the Argentina international thinks the time for defining the club by its relationship with the famous neighbours is over as City go in search of more honours in the coming years.

"What we've done is manage to pull it out of the fire and win it at the very last minute. Hopefully it's the start of big things for City in the future."It's all about talking about City now, not United," the 30-goal striker told the Daily Star.

"It was almost lost there, but we managed to pull it round and save ourselves in the last minutes.

"Let's hope we can win lots more now. That's the aim because I came here to win trophies.

"I think City have become a great side. You can say we are up there with the big boys, with this victory and a league title. Let's hope it is the start of a run of trophies."

Aguero admits he thought the title was lost, with City losing a game they had to win and already in added-time.

Holt - I'm in the hunt

Grant Holt believes there will be 'something wrong' if he is not among those England coach Roy Hodgson considers for Euro 2012 duty.

At the age of 31, Holt has been forced to be patient in his efforts to grace the highest levels of the game.

He was offered those opportunities by Norwich in 2011/12 and netted 15 times during an impressive return to the Premier League for the Canaries.

His consistency and keen eye for goal have won him a host of admirers and the experienced frontman hopes his exploits will be taken into account by new national coach Hodgson when he names his European Championship squad on Wednesday.

"The goals I have scored and the performances I have put in, if I am not in with a shout, something is wrong," said Holt.

"He will pick me or he won't, but I won't be far off. I should be in his thoughts with what I have achieved this year."

He added: "A lot of people have pinned me in one way and never seen me play football. People have said I haven't done it at the top level, but there is no bigger or better league than this.

"Every week you are playing against internationals. It baffles me to hear some people's comments, some of them have never seen me play football. I will take their comments and brush them off."

Skrtel set for Reds talks

Martin Skrtel's agent has confirmed he plans to hold talks with Liverpool over the defender's future.

Rumours have surfaced suggested Skrtel is considering his long-term future at Anfield after seeing them miss out on the UEFA Champions League for a third successive season.

Skrtel has been one of Liverpool's shining lights this campaign and was rewarded for his fine form by being named the club's player of the season.

The 27-year-old has two years to run on his current contract and Skrtel's representative, Karol Csonto, has admitted he will discuss Liverpool's plans as they get ready for talks on a new deal.

"You cannot say Liverpool won't play in the Champions League," Csonto told The Independent. "It is a big club and because they haven't made it this year doesn't mean they would not next.

"There are expectations on both sides, though.

"Some changes have been made at the club and the player wants to know what the aims and ambitions are.

"We want to discuss with Liverpool what they want and, of course, we will discuss the issue of Martin's new contract."

U's ace set to leave Kassam

Asa Hall is set to leave Oxford United after failing to agree a new contract with the League Two club.

The 25-year-old midfielder has scored 11 times for the U's in 82 appearances since joining from Luton in the summer of 2010.

However, his time at the Kassam Stadium appears to be at an end after Oxford chairman Kelvin Thomas revealed he has received an attractive offer from another club.

He told his club's official website: "We made Asa what we considered a decent offer on improved terms, but to be fair to Asa he was honest with us and has been offered a contract on quite a bit more money closer to home and in a higher division."

Thomas went on to confirm that other contractual discussions are also underway.

He added: "At the same time conversations continue with Wayne Brown and Adam Chapman, who have also been offered new deals and hopefully we can get those tied up soon."

Scotland call-up for Russell

Johnny Russell has been handed a first Scotland call-up for the friendly against the USA later this month.

The 22-year-old Dundee United forward has enjoyed an impressive season for the Tangerines, scoring 14 goals for the club and has been rewarded by his inclusion in Craig Levein's squad.

But the Scotland boss insists Russell is there for the experience of being around the squad and is unlikely to feature in the match.

Levein said: "If you have a look back through the squads since I took over, I have made a conscious effort to try to include players who are doing well, or have done well, with the Under 21s squad.

"I felt with the season that Johnny has had that he deserves the opportunity this time around.

"It is more for his experience than anything else. It would be unlikely that he would play a part in the match."

Holt holds Lambert hope

Norwich captain Grant Holt can understand why Paul Lambert is so highly rated but hopes he will decide not to leave the club this summer.

Lambert has earned rave reviews for his work at Carrow Road this season, having comfortably kept the Canaries in the Premier League after being written off by many at the start of the campaign.

He has been linked with other jobs, however, and Holt accepts there is bound to be speculation whenever a vacancy elsewhere opens up.

Aston Villa are currently looking for a new boss after dispensing with the services of Alex McLeish on Monday, prompting bookmakers to install Lambert as one of the favourites to replace him.

Norwich have already vowed to fight for their manager and Holt would like to think he will stay.

The striker said: "He has got an aura, something about him that makes you want to work for him, and that is why he is being touted for most jobs going.

Porto stand firm over Hulk

Porto chief Pinto da Costa insists that their stance over Hulk has not changed and they do not want to sell him.

The Brazilian international is Porto's talisman, and has led them to consecutive titles in Portugal.

He has though been constantly linked with moves away from the Estadio do Dragao, with most of Europe's elite tracking him including Manchester City, Chelsea andReal Madrid.

But he is contracted to the club until 2016 after signing a new deal last year, when Porto also bought another 40 per cent of his rights to take their total stake to 85 per cent and meaning they control his future.

Hulk also had a buy-out clause of £80million and Da Costa insists that is the amount any club would need to pay for him.

"I say today what I said a year ago, I will do everything to keep Hulk at Porto," he told Porto TV.

"I'm not interested in selling him.

"Hulk has a price and we are not going to negotiate and accept an inferior price to that of his clause, our desire is for him to be in our squad next season."

Chase on for Diame deal

Injured striker Johan Elmander was the surprise inclusion in Erik Hamren's 23-man Sweden squad for Euro 2012.

The former Bolton forward, now at Galatasaray, fractured a metatarsal as his side won the title against Fenerbahce, sparking fears he would miss the summer tournament.

But the 30-year-old has got the nod after Hamren allayed concerns about the player's fitness.

"The injury he has is the best one can get, if one has a fractured foot. He can walk on it already," the Sweden boss told a media conference in Stockholm.

There was no place for talented youngster John Guidetti, who had enjoyed a headline-grabbing season on loan at Feyenoord from Manchester City.

The 19-year-old scored 20 goals for the Rotterdam club as they secured second place in the Dutch league.

But a virus saw him miss Feyenoord's run-in, opening the door for Hamren to recall Werder Bremen'sMarkus Rosenberg.

Sweden will be led by AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic but there are problems at the back as they are without the services of Celtic's veteran defender Daniel Majstorovic, who has ruptured knee ligaments.

The Swedes open their campaign against Ukraine in Kiev on June 11th before facing England and France in Group D.

Martinez coy on Villa talk

Roberto Martinez has refused to be drawn on speculation linking him with the Aston Villa job.

Martinez rejected Villa's approach last season to stay at Wigan, where his reputation has been enhanced by another successful fight for Premier League survival.

Villa are again looking for a manager after sacking Alex McLeish, and the Latics boss is Sky Bet's favourite for the post.

He told Sky Sports News: "There's not a decision to be made. I'm under contract and at the moment there's nothing else other than preparing for next season and making sure we grow season after season. There's nothing to discuss.

"When there is speculation about players and managers it is because you've done something well. We've done something well and there's speculation, but it's nothing more than that."

Chase on for Diame deal

Sky Sports understands several Premier League clubs are chasing Wigan midfielder Mohamed Diame on a free transfer.

Midfield dynamo Diame is available on a free transfer after seeing out his contract at the DW Stadium.

Liverpool have been strongly linked with a move for Diame as Reds boss Kenny Dalglish looks to bolster his midfield options.

However, Diame's agent, Willie McKay, has confirmed a number of clubs at home and abroad are keen on the Senegal international and that the 24-year-old is hoping to stay in the Premier League.

"Momo is one of the best Bosmans around this summer and there are a lot of clubs at home and abroad keen on him, but Momo would like to stay in the Premier League and play for an ambitious club," McKay told skysports.com.

"I have met with several Premier League clubs and we are considering all offers, but we have yet to make a decision on where Momo will be going.

"Momo is disappointed he did not play as much for Wigan in the second half of this season, but he enjoyed his time at Wigan, although he always saw it as a stepping stone to move to a bigger club."

Hodgson drops squad hint

New England manager Roy Hodgson has indicated that he is ready to give another chance to players who have failed to deliver at previous tournaments.

Hodgson will announce his 23-man squad on Wednesday and has been carefully considering his options since being appointed as Fabio Capello's permanent successor at the start of May.

He has now hinted that there are unlikely to be many surprises in his selection and that he will keep faith in the experienced players.

Hodgson is also reluctant to jettison those who played a key role in securing qualification for Euro 2012.

"It has been interesting taking over a squad of players that has qualified for the tournament and done extremely well to qualify for the tournament under another manager," he said.

"I have tried to keep things in mind there and try to put together a squad which I think is capable of doing well in the tournament.

"And giving players also a chance perhaps to show that they are as good a player as we believe they were in the previous tournaments, when maybe the team has not gone quite as far as we hoped they would go."

Ribery wary of Chelsea tactics

 

Bayern Munich's Frank Ribery believes Champions League final opposition Chelsea will provide a strong challenge.

By ESPNSTAR.com staff

Although Chelsea will be missing several of their key players including captain John Terry due to suspension, Ribery does not consider them to be an easy Champions League final opposition. Speaking to Kicker, the Frenchman believes the Blues are tactically very sound, and could prove challenging to break down.

"When it comes to the game, Barcelona are stronger, but if you look at organisation, tactics, and set pieces, then Chelsea are better," Ribery said.

Complementing Chelsea on their adaptability and organisation, Ribery expects Roberto Di Matteo's squad to put on a similar performance to the one at the Camp Nou, especially since the final is held at Bayern's home ground, the Allianz Arena.

"In the semi-final, Chelsea played like they had to against a team like Barcelona, and in Munich they will take a defensive approach, with a well-organised and compact team. It will be very hard for us." he stated.

Bayern Munich and Chelsea will take on each other in the Champions League final this Saturday.

Hundred-up Real create La Liga history

Real Madrid became the first team in the history of the Spanish league to reach 100 points for a top-flight season as they crushed Real Mallorca.

Jose Mourinho's La Liga champions signed off for the summer with a typically imposing performance as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema set them on the way before half-time, with Mesut Ozil adding a second-half double.

Gonzalo Castro replied for Mallorca, who entered the game with the hope that victory could carry them into a Europa League place but found their opponents determined to end the season in style.

Ronaldo, Benzema and Ozil are primed to light up Euro 2012 this summer but before being able to consider the finals in Poland and Ukraine there was work to do for Mourinho's team, who have toppled Barcelona to take the league title by nine points.

Approaching their final assignment on 97 points from 37 games, having lost just twice, Madrid never looked like easing into the summer.

Ronaldo headed the home side ahead after 19 minutes when he met Marcelo's cross from the left, rising well to plant the ball into the right corner.

It was 2-0 four minutes later after an intricate build-up led to a fine goal for Benzema, his 21st in the league this season.

Benzema fed a smart ball into Ronaldo and kept running, with the ball relayed to Gonzalo Higuain and then into the path of the French striker who raced around the outside of the visiting defence and passed the ball into the bottom right.

Dudu Aouate then denied both early scorers with saves in quick succession to keep Mallorca just two goals behind at the interval.

Higuain laid the ball off to Ozil for Madrid's third goal, which came in the 49th minute, with the Germany international curling a shot into the far left corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Castro drilled a fierce left-footed shot inside Iker Casillas' near right post to cut into Madrid's lead, but Ozil soon restored the three-goal cushion, expertly pulling away at the far post to meet another cross from Marcelo and sidefooting the ball on the volley across the six-yard box and into the left corner.

Angel Di Maria came off the bench for the final 23 minutes and threatened to add a fifth Madrid goal but saw his long-range strike turned wide by Aouate.

Madrid remained goal-hungry until the end but had to settle for four.

Departing Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has hailed the importance of Dani Alves in the wake of the right-back's sending-off in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Real Betis. By ESPNSTAR.com staff Barca had been leading Saturday's La Liga match at the Benito Villamarin through Sergio Busquets' opener, and looked to be coasting towards victory. However, Alves received his marching orders early on in the second half for a lunging tackle on Jefferson Montero, allowing Betis back in the game where they then went 2-1 up thanks to a Ruben Castro brace. Seydou Keita saved his side's blushes by netting an equaliser late on but despite Alves almost costing them victory, Guardiola believes the Brazilian is indispensable. "In the first half, we played very well," the former Spain international remarked about the match. "However, we lost control at the start of the second half and after Alves' sending-off it was a different game. "Alves exit rumours? It's not up to me anymore, but for me he is irreplaceable." Guardiola also quashed suggestions the league would be lesser without his presence by the Nou Camp touchline. "La Liga existed before me and will exist after me," he added. Guardiola leaves the Catalan side having led them to three La Liga crowns, one Copa del Rey and two Champions League titles.

Departing Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has hailed the importance of Dani Alves in the wake of the right-back's sending-off in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Real Betis.

By ESPNSTAR.com staff

Barca had been leading Saturday's La Liga match at the Benito Villamarin through Sergio Busquets' opener, and looked to be coasting towards victory.

However, Alves received his marching orders early on in the second half for a lunging tackle on Jefferson Montero, allowing Betis back in the game where they then went 2-1 up thanks to a Ruben Castro brace.

Seydou Keita saved his side's blushes by netting an equaliser late on but despite Alves almost costing them victory, Guardiola believes the Brazilian is indispensable.

"In the first half, we played very well," the former Spain international remarked about the match.

"However, we lost control at the start of the second half and after Alves' sending-off it was a different game.

"Alves exit rumours? It's not up to me anymore, but for me he is irreplaceable."

Guardiola also quashed suggestions the league would be lesser without his presence by the Nou Camp touchline.

"La Liga existed before me and will exist after me," he added.

Guardiola leaves the Catalan side having led them to three La Liga crowns, one Copa del Rey and two Champions League titles.

Mourinho turns focus to next season

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is already working towards the start of next season just one day after his side completed their victorious La Liga campaign.

That victory meant the champions broke a league record by reaching 100 points for the season, but Mourinho insists the demands of managing such a big club means there is no time to rest on your laurels.

He told Real Madrid TV: "In this moment I am already thinking about the future, this is the time to finish the celebrations.

"They will end today [Sunday], the players will think about the Euros, and I will go to work and think about next season because at Real Madrid you can't sleep on what you have achieved. You have to think about the future."

Mourinho was joined by his players and staff as they paraded the trophy at the Madrid Town Hall today [Monday], and club president Florentino Perez also promised to deliver more trophies in the coming years.

He told Marca: "This team has achieved a collective feat that will remain in the memory of all Madrid fans.

"The merit goes to a formidable squad and a great coach who already form part of the history of this club with numbers that will be difficult to forget.

"It is an honour to return here with the work completed. A year ago (after winning the Copa del Rey) we said we would return and here we are. We say the same for next year.

"This club was born to win, we never tire of doing so. We are going to work with tenacity to continue growing the legend of Real Madrid. This is our challenge

Van Nistelrooy retires from football

Malaga striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has announced his retirement from football at the age of 35.

The former Holland international has suffered a difficult year since arriving in the south of Spain from Hamburg last summer, scoring just five times in 32 appearances.

However, he did help guide Malaga to their first ever top-four finish and thereby ensure Champions League football for the first time in their history.

Van Nistelrooy told a press conference today: "Yesterday [Sunday] was my final game as a professional footballer. I wanted to play in the Champions League, but it is the moment to leave.

"I have arrived at my physical limit and I can't play at the maximum level. I couldn't have had a better send-off than this.

"I feel happy that I am the one taking this decision. I would like to thank Malaga, the technical and medical staff for an unforgettable year.

"I am proud to have won collective and individual titles, but my greatest satisfaction was to be able to work day after day, year after year."

Van Nistelrooy also paid tribute to those people who supported him during his career, which included spells with PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United and Real Madrid.

"I would like to thank Malaga, my team-mates, the coaches, the physios, (sporting director) Antonio Fernandez, Fernando Hierro and the fans for this unforgettable year," said the Dutchman.

"I would also like to thank the fans of Den Bosch, Heerenveen, PSV, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Hamburg."

Van Nistelrooy's career began in his homeland with Den Bosch before moves to Heerenveen and PSV Eindhoven, where he made his name.

After securing the Eredivisie Golden Boot in both the 1998/99 and 1999/2000 seasons, he seemed set to join Manchester United in a near £19 million move.

However, United called off the transfer due to fitness concerns and within days Van Nistelrooy ruptured cruciate knee ligaments during a training session.

That injury did not dissuade United manager Sir Alex Ferguson though, as he went back for Van Nistelrooy the following summer and was duly rewarded as the striker delivered 150 goals in 219 games in his five seasons in Manchester and guided them to the title in 2002/03.

However, Van Nistelrooy's time in north-west England ended when he fell down the pecking order and was snapped up by Real Madrid in the summer of 2006.

He hit the ground running in the Spanish capital as 53 goals in two seasons saw Real capture back-to-back Primera Division titles.

But once again injuries took their toll as he missed almost the entire 2008/09 campaign with a meniscus problem and then found himself behind Raul, Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema the following season.

An 18-month spell at Hamburg followed before returning to Spain and Malaga for his final season as a professional.

Van Nistelrooy also bagged 35 goals in 70 international appearances for Holland, including strikes at Euro 2004, World Cup 2006 and Euro 2008 and is the second highest all-time goalscorer in the Champions League with 54 from 81 appearances.

His final appearance for Malaga resulted in a 1-0 victory over Sporting Gijon.