The FC Barcelona store will be busy with Carles Puyol football shirts, kits, and merchandise over the next few days. The captain of Barcelona has announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
At the Nike shop on Soccer Box, we have official La Liga merchandise available to buy, including Barcelona home kits from the past and present. Nike produces a desirable kit, based on the traditional scarlet and blue colors of the Catalan soccer club.
Success at Barcelona Football Club
Players immersed in the traditions of the club have always worn the Barcelona home kits. Since Johann Cruyff became their star player in the 1970s, the style of play has become more Dutch oriented than Spanish, or even their region of Catalan.
Cruyff returned as head coach in the late 1980s and realized an ambition. The Barcelona 'Dream Team' of 1992 swept all of Europe aside and won the European Cup for the first time in the history of the club. The team also won 4 La Liga titles in consecutive seasons.
A member of the 'Dream Team' was Pep Guardiola, who would himself become head coach in 2008. For three consecutive seasons, Guardiola's Barcelona became widely regarded as the best club team the world of football had ever known. Carles Puyol was at the center of everything as captain, and his voice on the pitch.
The Puyol Era at FC Barcelona
The 35-year old Spain defender has announced he is to leave his boyhood club and rest, before making a decision on what to do in the next chapter of his life. Although his contract was due to run until 2016, he has come to an agreement with Barcelona to rescind the contract early, come this summer.
He has made 593 appearances for the reigning champions of Spain since making his debut in 1999. The FC Barcelona store will be a strange place next season without his shirt hanging on sale with the rest of the 2014 - 2015 players.
Puyol's achievements at Barcelona cannot be understated. He has helped the club win 6 La Liga trophies, 3 Champions League titles, and 2 Spanish Cups. Alongside that, the club won the European Super Cup twice, the Spanish Super Cup 6 times and the World Club Championships twice.
When midfield maestro Xavi was described as the 'brain of the Barcelona team' it was Puyol who was talked about as being the 'heart'. Every good team needs a solid foundation, and Puyol is known for his tenacity and fairness in defense. The best strikers in world football struggled to beat him when he was playing at the peak of his powers.
It is an amazing achievement that ranks with the very best in the pantheon of great European soccer players. Barcelona will struggle to find a long term replacement for a defender who brought out the best in his teammates, and also knew the soul of the club and the city. Puyol is a fan of Barcelona - that is a great quality in this fantastic team.
Club and National Success
For many years Spain was a laughing stock in International football - always doomed to failure at the highest level. Puyol was a leader of the team that finally managed to draw a line in the sand and win international trophies for the country.
He was part of the Spain team that lifted the European Championships in 2008, and then the World Cup in 2010. Only knee injuries have prevented him from being a part in the winning defense of the European Championships in 2012.
With the shock news that Puyol is leaving his boyhood club, fans will be purchasing official jerseys at the FC Barcelona store on Soccer Box. Fans will want to wear the Puyol shirt or full Barcelona home kits as a mark of respect to one of the favorite players in the history of a glorious club.
You can buy Barcelona home kits at the Soccer Box online store. With Every Purchase
