Puyol Not In Mood To Retire

Veteran Barcelona defender Carles Puyol has ruled out the speculations regarding his retirement anytime soon. He is confident to carry on in the international arena despite being continuously pestered by injuries.

Puyol has been lately troubled by a knee injury that required to be operated for the fourth time, causing him to miss most part of his club’s title-winning campaign. But the strong defender is intent on making a strong impact as he decided to return to pre-season training.


Puyol’s new deal expires in June 2016 and he believes he can continue to serve Barcelona even after that date, by the time he would reach the age of 38.


In an interview with El Mundo Deportivo, he said:


"Now is not the time. I will not retire”


"Right now I feel I want to fulfil my contract and, if I can, make it longer."


Puyol is also prepared to hold talks with national team coach Del Bosque over his future.


"I have a good relationship with Del Bosque and will not take a final decision or say anything until I talk to the coach," he said.


About his knee injury, Puyol said,


"My goal now is to recover from the knee injury and then next season, we'll see. I always take the best decision for Barcelona."


"I am recovering slowly but progressing very well.


"This operation is not like the others: the post-operative period is more painful but the recovery is faster.


"My idea is to train on the first day of pre-season, though maybe not with the group at first."