Puyol: "Leo is above the rest"

Barcelona player Carles Puyol gave an interview to Catalan sports paper Sport.





Is it difficult to switch between playing in the centre and as full back?
I don't have much time to think about it cause I'm informed only shortly before the game. You always have to be prepared for whatever will come and when you know your position you try to get some information about the player who will be your direct opponent.

You have now three assists in a corner situation, set pieces seem to be a key element this season...
It's a positive thing for the team and for myself. And if I can score a goal, the better. A team like Barça needs to know how to take advantage of this. We have the best players, guys who can put the ball where they want it and strikers who don't fail. You have to use all that because there are game that get complicated and that kind of situation can save you.

You've also said once that Barça needs to win some more Champions Leagues for the club to get the recognition. This year the whole of Europe is praising you all...
Because the team is playing very well, but to have only won two Champions Leagues, that's too little for a club like Barcelona, with their history and with the players who have played here.

There has been a lot of talk about the pasillo, the tribute to Madrid last seaon. Is it your unofficial objective that Madrid have to pay you back in their own stadium?
The most important thing is to win trophies because when you win them you're always happy. It was a difficult and hard moment but in football you also have moments like that. The rivalry exists, when you're on the pitch you want to win and when you can do it by a big win, that's even better.

Since Gerard Piqué arrived, he's one of your best friends in the dressing room. What does he add to the team?
It's a very important player both on and off the pitch because he perfectly knows the club and the football philosophy. He didn't need to adapt, he's performing very well on the pitch. Besides that, he's always enjoyable and cheerful. And that's also important in a group.

What do you think about not having the stay with the squad at the day of the game?
Personally I think it's a good thing because the player can relax a little and the games are that late nowadays that those hours in the hotel can be boring. At least now you're at your place, in your bed, with your people. If you're professional and serious, it shouldn't be a problem at all.

It's strange that the players spend less time together this season while there's a feeling that there's more unity...
If you're at a hotel, everyone is in his own room, so that's the same. You're alone or with your computer.

What do you think about the comparisons between Messi and Robben?
I wouldn't compare them. Robben is very good and he's playing good these days, it's one of those players who can make the difference. But Leo is above the rest, it's an incredible player, you should watch him play.

Rivaldo, Figo, Ronaldinho, Leo... Who do you prefer from all the stars with whom you have played?
It feels like one should choose the most recent one. But what the others have done is impressive.

What did it mean for you that Maradona came here and praised the team?
It's an honour that he speaks like that about us. It's not a player who I saw play a lot when I was young, but it has been an important player in the history of football.


This was the second part of this interview. You will be able to read the following parts in the coming days with Puyol talking -among other things- about his favourite city and about his tattoos.

You can read the first part of the interview here:
Puyol: "At the end, the best team always wins"

Read more:
Vilanova: "Iniesta is our best winter transfer"
Puyol wants to retire at Barcelona
Puyol: "We haven't yet spoken about a renewal"