Puyol determined to frustrate Uganda's strikers

Nov 18, 2015

The forthcoming Barcelona Legends match is undoubtedly one of Uganda’s biggest sporting events this year.

By Samson Opus

The forthcoming Barcelona Legends match is undoubtedly one of Uganda’s biggest sporting events this year.

For the Ugandan soccer fans, the match will be a life-time opportunity to see soccer greats as Uganda’s All Stars team takes on Barcelona’s Legends in a charity match that will launch the RG Football Academy, on December 12 at Namboole Stadium.

One of the stars to watch in the Barcelona ranks will be former Spanish defender Carles Puyol.

Puyol served as the long-time team captain for his only club Barcelona after taking over from Luis Enrique in August 2004, going on to appear in almost 600 official games for the team and winning 21 major titles, notably six La Liga and three UEFA Champions League titles.

Puyol was part of the squad that won the Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup tournaments. In the latter competition’s semi-final, he scored the only goal of the match against Germany.

Regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, Puyol was known for his commanding presence in the air, his composure on the ball and his intense commitment and ruggedness.

According to Barcelona’s head doctor, he was “the strongest, who has the quickest reactions, and who has the most explosive strength.” Club fans referred to him as “The Wall”.

Miguel Angel Nadal, who played with him for a short period of time, said “Carles plays with maturity, has great positional sense, and above all, has pride in his shirt.