Carles Puyol: The Story Behind The Perfect Barcelona Captain

#4 Focus and Determination

Carles Puyol was one of the generational defenders and he can be named next to the likes of Paolo Maldini and Bobby Moore. Although the player had immense talent and he trained himself to become one of the bests, he never lost his focus during a game. Gerard Pique said in an interview that Puyol would often scold him if he ventured away from his position too much, or if he was not concentrating enough.

Puyol would always be one hundred percent focused and would always give his all. By the end, he had sustained 36 injuries and finally quit football in 2014 although he had two years left on his contract. He resigned from professional football as he felt that he was not doing justice to his team. With all the injuries and surgeries, he was left tired and fragile, and this was not how he wanted to play. For him it was, give it your all or don’t play at all. He always gave it his all for Barcelona and he parted ways with the club he loved on good terms. His mental determination and focus definitely helped him to become the legend he is today.