Puyol equals Migueli's record of 549 official matches for FC Barcelona

The defender has played the second most games for FC Barcelona, only Xavi has played more (617)

The captain Carles Puyol played his 549th game in the Barça strip tonight and he draws level with the legendary Barça players Miguel Barnardo Bianquetti as the player with the second most games for FC Barcelona. The Azulgrana defender made his debut on October 2nd 1999 when Van Gaal included him in the squad against Valladolid. 12 years and 5 months later, he’s equalled the defender ‘Trazan’ Migueli that played for Barça from 1973 through 1989.

Puyol, who is one match away from beating Migueli, is second only to Xavi Hernández, who came to the first team a year before the captain and had played in 617 official Barça matches.

The competition that Puyol has played in the most for Barça is the Liga with 367, followed by the Champions League, 112. In the Cup, the defender has played in 47 matches, 9 in the UEFA Cup, 6 in the Spanish Super Cup, 2 in the European Super Cup and 6 in the Club World Cup.

Puyol lifted his first title in the 2004-05 season, it was the Liga won in Levante. Since then the captain has claimed 17 titles (4 Ligas, 3 Champions Leagues, 1 King’s Cup, 2 European Super Cups, 5 Spanish Super Cups and 2 Club World Cups). Surely Barça fans remembers each one fondly, but the on that most likely captivated the hearts of culé’s worldwide was when he told Éric Abidal, who underwent liver surgery, to lift the Champions League in Wembley.

12 goals for Barça

Carles Puyol’s natural habitat on the pitch is playing defence, leading his teammates from the back. However, throughout his career at FC Barcelona he has scored 12 goals (8 in the Liga, 2 in the King’s Cup and 2 in the Champions League). One of his most memorable goals was scored at the Bernabéu during the historic 6-2 rout. He celebrated by kissing his captain armband. (via FCBarcelona.com)