Bio

An experienced, aggressive defender, Carlos Puyol adds a much-needed physical side to this Spain team. A one-club player, Puyol has won a whole host of titles with Barcelona and has also been awarded European accolades by UEFA for his performances at both right-back and centre-back. Now mostly employed as a central defender by Barcelona alongside international team-mate Gerard Pique, he still has the necessary attacking attributes to deputise for Dani Alves on the right if necessary. A regular in the Spain side for the last decade, South Africa will be Puyol's fifth major tournament. Considered purely as a centre-back due to the presence of Sergio Ramos on the right, his strength in the air and combative approach has been a useful foil to some of his more cultured team-mates. Named in the Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament as Spain bagged only the second major title in the country's history, Puyol will hope that whoever is picked in the deep-lying midfield role at this tournament will be able to offer enough protection to hide his lack of pace.

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