Despite still having two years left to play on his contract, earlier this year Puyol announced that he would be retiring from football. A long career filled with many injuries and surgeries most recently on his right knee left the Barça legend feeling like he could no longer compete at the level required of him at the Camp Nou. In a moving farewell speech, Puyol reminisced I came here as a boy and I leave with a family (FCBarcelona.com). Puyol had spent a staggering 15-years at the club (10 as its captain) and his 593-appearences, leaving him second only to his long-time teammate Xavi in all-time appearance for the Catalans. This will be the last year we are able to use Puyol on FIFA and though the 36-year-olds age has taken its toll on his physical stats he is still a very solid centre-back. As long as you have a suitably rapid wing-back to compensate for the sluggish Puyol, he can be a great asset to the team. With his 82-sliding tackle, 85-standing tackle, 87-marking and 88-interceptions, he is still more than a match for even the most dangerous forwards.
Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.
