The Blaugrana skipper has expressed his desire to return to international action as soon as his injury problems are resolved.
Barcelona’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carles-Puyol-c8331 has insisted that he will not let his knee injury prove to be decisive in his career and stressed that he wants to retire while playing football, not while being sidelined.
Puyol has emphasized that representing his national side holds immense importance and stated that he will do everything to make sure that he is able to make a 100 appearances for La Roja Furia.
In an official statement by La Blaugrana, it was announced this past Tuesday that the Spanish international is expected to remain out of action for a time period of six weeks due to a surgery on his knee.
The veteran defender suffered a knock in Barca’s 4-0 victory over their city rivals, Espanyol, this past Saturday. W hilethe Catalans emerged victorious, their captain limped out with an injury on his knee.
Physicians later revealed that the received injury is substantial and deemed an operation as a necessity.
As the Spaniard is ruled out for six weeks, he will also miss out the Euro 2012 taking place in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ukraine-c3032 this summer.
Although the Catalan player appeared disappointed, he expressed that he understands his situation and remaining sidelined is probably the best decision at the moment.
However, Puyol did not let the injury falter his hopes of wearing the red of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 once again and expressed that his international career is not over yet.
While talking to reporters, the 34-year-old was quoted as saying:
"The rumours that I will retire from the national team? I want to retire on the pitch, not in the operating room. I was looking forward to playing my 100th game for Spain and to be at Euro 2012. I think it will very difficult to make the tournament, though.
Looking at the recovery time needed, it's impossible.”
"However, I'm in good spirits. These things happen, although it's at a bad moment. If I can make my 100th appearance for Spain later on, that's fine too."
Several members of the Spanish national team have expressed their disappointment at seeing the veteran defender sidelined. Will the defending European champions be able to win back their title without the services of Puyol? Time will tell.
Tags: