Barcelona legend Puyol retires

Barcelona said goodbye to another of their favourite sons as Carles Puyol confirmed his retirement from football yesterday.

The club held a farewell event for the centre-half, who has held the captain's armband since 2004 before an ongoing knee injury forced him to quit the game.

Puyol thanked his coaches and teammates, saying he had "lived the dream of so many young kids, doing what I most enjoy in life, playing football and training."

The 36-year-old said: " It's the end of an era but there will be more and I hope to enjoy them as much as this one.

"Thank you all very much and Visca el Barca! [Long live Barcelona!]."

Source: The Guardian