It was 1 / 4 of a century in the past on 2 October 1999 that Carles Puyol performed his very first aggressive recreation for FC Barcelona, a 2-0 win away to Actual Valladolid with the targets scored by Kluivert and Rivaldo.

Boss, I am able to play

The 17-year-old had joined the membership 4 years earlier in 1995 and after rising up by means of the ranks was now on the verge of constructing the leap to the senior stage. Within the build-up to that recreation, {the teenager} had sprained his ankle, an harm that may have impeded any regular participant from enjoying. However Puyol was no regular participant. Shrugging off any considerations, when coach Louis van Gaal requested him how he was feeling, Puyol stated “boss, I am able to play.”

And on he went, to play at proper again within the place of Simao Sabrosa. It was his first ever senior look but it surely by no means confirmed. He was as strong in defence as he was in assist of assault. One of many best defenders ever to grace the sport had taken his first bow.

Van Gaal was completely satisfied by the teenager, and used him in 37 video games that season. By the top of the marketing campaign he was a firmly established characteristic in the course of the Barça rearguard, and by 2004 he was the captain. A one-club man, he saved the armband for the remaining ten years of his enjoying profession, and it’s onerous to think about a extra worthy bearer than he. A born chief, and an instance to everybody together with his no-nonsense perspective, and a damned superb defender too, Puyol was one of many fundamental causes for Barça’s unprecedented success throughout his time within the staff.