Carles Puyol announces he is leaving FC Barcelona at the end of the season

Carles Puyol made an announcement to the press on Tuesday afternoon at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper that he is leaving the club at the end of the current season. Here is a translation of his exact words:

“The reason I have called you here today is to tell you that at the end of the season I will no longer be an FC Barcelona player. The Club knows about this and we are agreed on the matter and how it should be dealt with. We shall rescind my contract and leave it without effect for the two years that were left on it.

After two very serious operations, I’m finding it very hard to get back to the level I need to be at to stay here. Much more than I thought and much more than the surgeons told me. That’s why I have made this decision.

I’d like to say three things on the matter:

1.- I’m not going today. There are three months of the season left and anyone that knows me will know that I won’t give up and I’ll keep fighting to the end to try to improve and help the team to achieve its objectives this season.

2.- I don’t know what I’ll do after June 30, but what I am sure of is that when the season ends I’m going to need to get some rest. I haven’t stopped for four years because of injuries. After that, we’ll see what happens.

3.- And finally I’d like to give a press conference at the end of the season and say farewell to all the people that have accompanied me though these 19 years. Whoever wants to, whoever can, presidents, directors, coaches, team-mates, people from the club, reporters, friends, relatives, that day I’ll answer whatever questions they want. Thank you very much and I’ll see you soon!”

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