Puyol: “I’m still on a cloud”

 
Barça captain Carles Puyol is the star of a new Barça TV programme entitled ‘Puyol, the captain'. Speaking in an interview with journalist Núria Coll, Puyol explains the keys to the treble and his views on the immediate future of the team.
This Wednesday, Carles Puyol visited the studios of Barça TV where he was interviewed by Núria Coll for a special programme ‘Puyol, the captain'. For 25 minutes, the Barça captain analysed the historic 2008-09 season and considered the keys to success, the role of head coach Josep Guardiola and the mentality the players have to adopt for the future.

“I’m on a cloud, very happy. Not only for the treble but for the way the whole season has gone. I’m very proud of the work done. The cavalcade through the streets of Barcelona left me with moments of great happiness. We older players had been through it before but the new lads were amazed to see so many people in the street. It was recognition for all Barça fans for the support they’ve given us all season”.

Enjoy the present

Carles Puyol is not given to excesses of euphoria and recommends we all enjoy the moment and the leave our worries for the future to another day: “We have to enjoy this season’s success. We’ve worked hard to win the three titles and now we have to celebrate. Obviously the manager, the technical secretary and the Board have to think about next season and plan for the future, but the players can enjoy what we’ve achieved and recover from the great effort we’ve made”.

Puyol is impressed by what’s been achieved but believes it will take on even greater significance as time passes: “I appreciate the titles we have won very much because I know how hard it is to win them. Repeating what we have done this year is almost impossible. One day maybe we’ll appreciate it even more but right now I really value it”.

The Guardiola factor

Apart from a hugely talented squad, Puyol believes that one of the keys to the success of the team has been the role of the manager. “From the very first day he made the team work and the players have followed him. His message has got through to the players and what’s been achieved is there for all to see”.

During the interview, Puyol highlighted Guardiola’s personality, work ethic and his psychological skills when dealing with the players: “He works very hard, he loves football, he makes a deep analysis of the opponents and is absolutely clear about how he wants to play: attack and have the ball. He has transmitted to us that we always have to go out to win. He has the ability to say the right thing at the right time. He’s a great psychologist”. Puyol also praised striker Samuel Eto'o: “He’s a very good goal scorer who has helped the team a lot. It’s very difficult to find a forward like him. You never know what will happen in football but I and my team-mates have already said what we think about him”.

Facing the future with hope

Although Puyol believes it will be almost impossible to repeat the treble, he is looking forward to next season with the same hope but with new objectives: “When the season starts we will have two objectives - the Spanish and European Super Cups. Then in December we have the World Club Championship, which Barça has never won. The challenges never cease”.