FCBARCELONA.CAT

02.10.2009 10:47

Squad praise Carles Puyol

Marc Guillén

Carles Puyol has described his ten years in the FC Barceloona first team as a dream come true and has earned the respect and praise of his team-mates after a decade of leading the team.

"To have played for so many years with Barça and to have won so many trophies is a like a dram come true for me," he told Barça TV. "I hope to win a lot more and to continue giving everything to the team, just like I have since day one."

Team leader

Xavi is inspired by the defender as he explained: "He is the leader in the dressing room." Messi agreed, adding: "He is a great person and we have always got on very well together." Defensive partner Gerard Piqué agreed as he said: "I am proud to have him as my captain because he always deserves to wear the armband".

Behind Puyol stands Víctor Valdés and he believes he is a role model: "He is a person that cares and works hard on a daily basis with the squad. He is an exemplary captain in this respect. We have lived through times that have not been as good as they are not, but he has always been there to support his team-mates and is always trying to raise their morale."

Exemplary pro

"He is an example to all of us as a professional and all the fans can see that," Xavi continued. "He is an example when it comes to diet and fitness because he takes care of the details of looking after himself. He has some very good habits because despite being 31 he never has to lower his level of play," Valdés assured.

Good communication

"He helps me a lot and knows exactly what his role is and how the team works so he guides the defence," Piqué explained. "We are always talking on the pitch and keep that up continuously because the best defences work when there is complete communication."