Ronaldo, Real sink Sevilla to claim Super Cup

Ronaldo, Real sink Sevilla to claim Super Cup - Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to ensure a successful Wales homecoming for his team-mate Gareth Bale as Real Madrid comfortably won the UEFA Super Cup in Cardiff by beating Sevilla 2-0 on Tuesday. The former Manchester United star struck in each half to earn a brace and underline Madrid's dominance of a game they controlled throughout.

The Spanish giants thrilled a capacity 33,500 crowd at Cardiff City Stadium with their all-singing, all-dancing game, and Sevilla's players were often reduced to a spectating role. Bale, who joined Real from Tottenham Hotspur in a world record £86m deal last summer, also stamped his class on proceedings, delivering a precision cross from which Ronaldo scored his opener.

© Getty Images

And when he pounced again early in the second period, there was no way back for UEFA Europa League title holders Sevilla as the 2014 UEFA Champions League winners showcased their enviable quality. Real coach Carlo Ancelotti paraded his awe-inspiring wealth of playing talent, with major summer signings James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos joining Bale and Ronaldo in a team captained by goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

James and Kroos both had their moments, with the electric speed of Colombian international Rodriguez's pass a regular highlight, while Bale's former Spurs colleague Luka Modric worked tirelessly in midfield.

Although the Spanish domestic season does not start for almost another fortnight, Real already look in ominous form, suggesting they will not only challenge for another European crown but also seriously threaten Atletico Madrid's reign as La Liga champions.

Real predictably monopolised possession in the early stages, but Bale's first involvement almost saw him put through by Ronaldo, but the Welsh international went to ground and could not get a shot off. Bale then saw a shot deflected narrowly wide as pressure began to mount, and when Ronaldo was sent crashing to the turf, the referee gave a free-kick that Ronaldo dipped just over the bar.

Casillas was not called into action until the 20th minute, and he had to be alert at his near post to block a Vitolo shot as Sevilla displayed a counter-attacking hunger after being penned deep inside their own half. Ronaldo should have put Real ahead following Karim Benzema's excellent approach work, yet having eased past two Sevilla defenders he shot straight at advancing Sevilla goalkeeper Beto.

It was a let-off for the underdogs, but Ronaldo was not to be denied 15 minutes before the break, finishing from close range for his 17th goal in ten appearances against Sevilla after Bale's inch-perfect cross created a gilt-edged opening. Sevilla could have few complaints, having played second fiddle for long periods as Real's masterful exhibition of passing meant they enjoyed prolonged periods of control.

Casillas was pressed into his second save of the game as half-time approached, deflecting a Daniel Carrico effort high and wide, but Real had no further scares in securing a 1-0 interval advantage. And Ronaldo stamped a defnitive mark on proceedings just four minutes after the break when he rifled a powerful left-footed shot into the corner of Beto's net to double Real's lead.

Despite having effectively wrapped the game up, Real showed no intent to take their foot off the accelerator and Ancelotti will have been thrilled with their desire during the closing stages of a one-sided encounter. James went desperately close to making it 3-0, but his powerful drive was superbly turned around the post by Beto, then Modric was narrowly off-target with a shot from outside the box.

Emery sent on former Arsenal player Jose Antonio Reyes among his late substitutions, but Real were already in cruise control and they comfortably closed the game out as they added more silverware to a bulging Bernabeu trophy cabinet. ( fifa.com )

READ MORE - Ronaldo, Real sink Sevilla to claim Super Cup

Forster focused on Euro 2016

Forster focused on Euro 2016 - Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster hopes to once again use the Champions League to keep himself in England contention.

The imposing shot-stopper forced his way into Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad this summer, having come to prominence through a pair of virtuoso displays against Barcelona in Europe two seasons ago and continued his form consistently with the Hoops.

Fraser Forster wants a Champions League return to boost his Euro 2016 hopes

This season's continental campaign begins with Tuesday night's second qualifying round first leg against KR Reykjavik in Iceland.

Forster told the Sunday Post: "Playing in the Champions League has definitely been good for me in terms of exposure. But it's been good for all of us and for the club too.

"We've all seen how big the Champions League nights are and it would be nice to get back in the group stages but Reykjavik will be a tough away game and we need to play as well as we know we can."

Forster did not get to sample the action in Brazil, with Manchester City's Joe Hart the established first choice and Ben Foster getting the nod for the dead rubber against Costa Rica.

But the 26-year-old is determined it will not be his last taste of tournament football and has Euro 2016 in France as his next target.

"One of my goals last season was to try to get into that squad and I was delighted to achieve that," he said. "Our performances were really good in the tournament and it was just unfortunate we didn't really get what we deserved out of the games.

"The Euros are now only a couple of years away so I'm already setting my sights on that."

Forster was not the only Celtic player to travel to the World Cup, with defenders Efe Ambrose and Emilio Izaguirre key figures for Nigeria and Honduras respectively.

And new coach Ronny Deila is expecting all three to play a key role on Tuesday.

Deila said: "All our players who are at the World Cup are ready to play in this game. Fraser, Efe and Emilio have all come straight from the World Cup so, of course, they are ready to play.

"Everyone is available for this match and we want to put as strong a team as we possibly can on to the pitch. We really want to win but we will need a good performance up in Iceland."

One exception to that is captain Scott Brown, who will miss up to three months of the season with a serious hamstring tear.

New signing Craig Gordon joins Lukasz Zaluska in providing competition for Forster.

READ MORE - Forster focused on Euro 2016

I will end my career at Santos : Neymar

Neymar: 'I will end my career at Santos' - Brazil star Neymar intends to finish his career where it all started at Santos, but could also represent other clubs in Brazil.

The 22-year-old left Santos for Barcelona in June last year in his first move to a European club, and he has been tipped to star at the FIFA World Cup.

While a return to his homeland appears a long time away, Neymar said he would definitely play in Brazil again – with his final season to be at Santos.

Neymar: 'I will end my career at Santos'

"This is something to think about, I want to play for another team in Brazil, it wouldn't be a problem to sit down and hear an offer," Neymar said.

"The club can be from Sao Paulo, from Rio de Janeiro or from any other state of Brazil, the only that is certain is that I will end my career at Santos."

Neymar said there were several reasons behind his decision to leave Santos, including a new challenge in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

"It wasn't just about the money, that's not why I left," he said.

"I wanted to live a dream, play other competitions, play the Champions League, grow, evolve, learn another language, that's what motivated me to come to the European continent." ( goal.com )

READ MORE - I will end my career at Santos : Neymar

Terry 'deserves' final place, says Mourinho

Terry 'deserves' final place, says Mourinho - The Champions League "owes something" to Chelsea captain John Terry due to the previous disappointments that he has endured in the competition, according to manager Jose Mourinho.

Terry, 33, has been passed fit to play in the second leg of Chelsea's semi-final at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday after limping off with an ankle injury in last week's first leg, which ended in a 0-0 draw.

Mourinho initially ruled Terry out until at least the final, which takes place in Lisbon on May 24, but his return to fitness suggests that his luck in the tournament may be beginning to turn.

Terry 'deserves' final place, says Mourinho

Terry could have given Chelsea their first ever Champions League trophy in the 2008 final against Manchester United in Moscow, only to slip as he took a spot-kick in the penalty shootout, sending the ball wide.

A subsequent failed attempt by Nicolas Anelka gave United the trophy and although Chelsea prevailed on penalties in the final against Bayern Munich four years later, Terry did not play due to suspension.

He was also banned for last season's Europa League final success against Benfica, although, as he had done in 2012, he received the trophy in his full kit alongside his teammates.

Results of the Champions League semi-final match on Tuesday (AFP Photo/)

"I think the Champions League owes him something," Mourinho said during Tuesday's pre-match press conference.

"I think he deserves more than the Champions League has given to him till now. He lost a few semi-finals in special circumstances. He lost the final also in special circumstances.

"He won a final, also in special circumstances, because he couldn't play the final."

- No England U-turn -

Terry seemed to be getting eased out at Stamford Bridge under former interim manager Rafael Benitez, but he has been rejuvenated since Mourinho's return last year, marshalling the meanest defence in the Premier League.

Atletico Madrid's David Villa (R) trains at Stamford Bridge in London on April 29, 2014, on the eve of the team's Champions League semi-final second-leg match against Chelsea (AFP Photo/Glyn Kirk)

"My captain is playing at the same level as when I left Chelsea in 2007-08," Mourinho added.

"Six or seven years later, he is playing at his best level. It's fair to say that. It's also fair to say that the people that surround him are playing also fantastic.

"I think his partnership with (Gary) Cahill is fantastic and people that work together in the same areas, they are doing a fantastic job.

"I'm really happy to see a player like him, six or seven years later, to be back to the same level."

Terry's displays have prompted calls for him to return to the England fold, 19 months after he retired from international football following the Football Association's decision to strip him of the captaincy over allegations he had racially abused Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand.

However, despite the apparent lure of a potential place in manager Roy Hodgson's squad for this year's World Cup in Brazil, Terry said that he had no intention of reversing his decision.

"For me, 100 percent, I'm going to be on my holidays in the summer, I'm going to be nowhere else," he said.

"I've made that very clear. My thoughts are very strong on that. Maybe people don't realise how strong. I certainly wish the England side and Roy the very best." ( AFP )

READ MORE - Terry 'deserves' final place, says Mourinho

Several ways to get Franck Ribery as angry as Pep Guardiola believes he needs to be

Several ways to get Franck Ribery as angry as Pep Guardiola believes he needs to be - One of Bayern Munich's problems in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid was the disappearance of Franck Ribery. The UEFA Best Player in Europe award winner has been enjoying yet another stellar season and if Bayern are to come back from the 1-0 deficit, they'll need Ribery to be at his best. Luckily, Bayern manager Pep Guardiola thinks he knows the key to getting that out of him.

(Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images)

From Reuters:

"He was playing angry against Bremen [in Bayern's 5-2 win on Saturday]. Franck needs this aggression, he needs to play angry. He keeps fighting and that is why fans love him. He is one of the best players in Bayern history, he has always performed at the highest level and we need the best Ribéry."

But how do you ensure that Franck Ribery is suitably angry? Well, there are few methods worth trying...

• Tell him that Cristiano Ronaldo definitely deserved the Ballon d'Or more than him.
• Stick him with a mascot that's too tall for his liking.
• Have all of his teammates relentlessly chase him with glass boots full of beer.
• Tell him Cristiano Ronaldo said that he didn't deserve to win the Ballon d'Or.
• Tell him Cristiano Ronaldo laughs at him while he polishes the Ballon d'or trophy.
• Tell him Cristiano Ronaldo thinks his name is "Franck Rickery."
• Just say "Cristiano Ronaldo" in his presence.
• Show him this image...

Sorry Im not sorry, bro. (Nike) 

(sports.yahoo.com )

READ MORE - Several ways to get Franck Ribery as angry as Pep Guardiola believes he needs to be

Franck Ribery slaps Daniel Carvajal across the face

Franck Ribery slaps Daniel Carvajal across the face - Pep Guardiola said that he wanted Franck Ribery to play angry in order to be at his best against Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal and early in the match Ribery proved that he was maybe a bit too angry. A scuffle early in the match led to a showdown between Jerome Boateng and Daniel Carvajal. With Boateng putting a finger to one of Carvajal's cheeks, Ribery walked over and slapped him across the other.

Ribery wasn't punished for the act by the referee, but Real Madrid did get their revenge in the form of three goals to go up 4-0 on aggregate by halftime. And the way he's played in this semifinal, Ribery now has no one left to slap but himself. ( sports.yahoo.com )

READ MORE - Franck Ribery slaps Daniel Carvajal across the face

I Made A Mistake

Pep Guardiola: 'I made a mistake' - Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola took responsibility for his side's UEFA Champions League semifinal loss to Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos struck braces in Real's 4-0 second-leg thrashing of the Bundesliga champions at the Allianz Arena, completing a 5-0 aggregate victory.

Guardiola: I made a mistake

Guardiola said it was his error that led to Bayern's loss, while he was unhappy with the way his team used the ball after having the majority of possession in both legs.

"We played badly when we had the ball. That's my responsibility. I made a mistake," the Spaniard told a news conference. "It was a bit better in the first leg, but congratulations to Real Madrid."

Guardiola lamented his side's defending from set pieces, with Ramos heading in a corner and free kick in the first half. Ronaldo netted on the counterattack before halftime and completed the scoring with a cheeky free kick that went under a jumping Bayern defensive wall.

"We have to carry on now. If you don't play well and you defend set pieces badly, that's just how it is. You are being punished," Guardiola said. "We are at the highest level in Europe; such mistakes are punished right away."

Guardiola said he had been hopeful Bayern could reproduce the performances it put in against Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United earlier in the knockout stages.

"What we did against Arsenal and Manchester (United) did not work today," he said. "Also in the first leg in Madrid we had more control than today and at least a couple of chances. Today, just a few. That's why we have lost the semifinal. You play with the ball and if you don't have it that doesn't work." ( Goal.com )

READ MORE - I Made A Mistake

Fernando Torres never hides : Jose Mourinho

Fernando Torres never hides - Jose Mourinho says Fernando Torres won't "hide" against former club Atletico Madrid during Chelsea's Champions League semifinal.

The Spaniard has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge but is in line to face the Liga leaders in Tuesday's first leg clash after Samuel Eto'o did not travel with the squad because of a knee injury.

Jose Mourinho: Fernando Torres never hides

Torres came though the youth ranks at the Vicente Calderon, scoring 91 goals during seven seasons in the first team before joining Liverpool in 2007, but Mourinho is not concerned by his striker's state of mind ahead of the fixture.

"Playing in the Champions League is a big motivation for every player. Everyone wants to play. Those chosen are happy those who aren't, are not," he told reporters. "I am not saying that Fernando Torres will start, I am saying that he never hides. We feel that every day. He is a real Atletico supporter, I would say a big one. We talk about Spanish football every day.

"He is a professional. I have no doubts that the minutes he will be on the pitch tomorrow he will do everything for Chelsea given the professional that he is."

Mourinho also refuted claims that Atletico Madrid counterpart Diego Simeone is a superior coach to him.

"I don't agree," he said. "It is difficult to compare coaches; in fact it is not fair to do so.

"It is not fair to compare someone with 15 years of experience as a coach to one with less than that. It is something that I don't like to do."

After suffering semifinal defeats to Liverpool during his first spell in charge of Chelsea, Mourinho insists those disappointments do not provide extra motivation.

"I have no unfinished business with Chelsea in in the Champions League," he said. "I did my best. I always do my best. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

"In one semifinal we lost on penalties and in the other we lost because of a goal that wasn't a goal [a reference to a shot from Luis Garcia that was adjudged to have crossed the line], but that's football." ( goal.com )

READ MORE - Fernando Torres never hides : Jose Mourinho

Barcelona maintains momentum but Bayern Munich finally drops points

Barcelona maintains momentum but Bayern Munich finally drops points -- The Spanish title race might have taken another twist Saturday when Barcelona visited mid-table Espanyol in the Catalan derby. For more than 75 minutes, the home team blanked Lionel Messi and the rest of the Barcelona attack.

But just like in El Clasico on Sunday, Messi had the last word as he struck a late penalty to give Barcelona a 1-0 victory and all three points.

Espanyol keeper Francisco Casilla was sent off against Barcelona for handling outside the area. 

His goal in the 77th minute over Espanyol temporarily put Barcelona two points atop the league standings ahead of Atletico Madrid but Atletico later rallied to defeat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 to regain its one-point advantage.

Messi and Neymar missed good chances in the first half, while Espanyol's Pizzi also squandered a fine opportunity.

But there were fewer chances in the second half, although Barcelona defender Gerard Pique struck the crossbar.

With time running out, referee Clos Gomez ruled that Espanyol's Javi Lopez handled in the area and Messi made no mistake from the spot.

Lopez then had to play goalkeeper after Francisco Casilla's handball outside the area stopped a Messi shot in the 83rd minute. Casilla was shown a straight red and Espanyol had already used all three of its substitutes.

Iker Muniain put fourth-place Athletic ahead but Diego Costa leveled in the 22nd minute and Koke got the winner in the 55th. Aymeric Laporte saw red for hauling down Costa in the dying stages.

Real Madrid, reeling from defeats to Barcelona and Sevilla, had its own derby late Saturday. It blanked Rayo Vallecano 5-0, getting two goals from Gareth Bale, and once again moved to within three points of Atletico.

Barcelona and Atletico square off in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal next week.

Rare stumble by Bayern

Under-strength Bayern Munich finally dropped points in Germany's Bundesliga, drawing Hoffenheim 3-3 to end a 19-match league winning streak that dated back to October.

Bayern wrapped up the league title in record time this week and faces Manchester United in the Champions League quarterfinals Tuesday but it appeared as if Pep Guardiola's men were focused enough to claim three more points.

It led 3-1 -- at home -- only for Sejad Salihovic to pull a goal back and Roberto Firmino to equalize in the 75th minute. To make matters worse, Spanish international midfielder Thiago Alcantara suffered a knee injury.

Borussia Dortmund, which meets Real Madrid in the Champions League, maintained second place with a morale boosting 3-2 win at Stuttgart thanks to Marco Reus' hat-trick.

Stuttgart led 2-1 but Georg Niedermeier conceded a penalty and received a second yellow in the 67th minute. (CNN)

READ MORE - Barcelona maintains momentum but Bayern Munich finally drops points

Atletico success built on shaky economic foundations

Atletico success built on shaky economic foundations - Atletico Madrid's emergence as a third force in Spain and contenders among Europe's elite rests on wobbly economic foundations and the edifice could come crashing down if they cannot sustain their remarkable run. 

The club's success is in large measure down to inspirational coach Diego Simeone, who since taking charge in late 2011 has moulded an unspectacular squad into a unit capable of challenging the continent's richest clubs, including La Liga rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona. 

Atletico Madrid's players stretch during a training session at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, March 31, 2014. REUTERS/Albert Gea

Real and Barca again topped Deloitte's latest Football Money League of the world's wealthiest club's by income, with revenue in excess of 500 million euros (411 million pounds), while Atletico squeaked into the top 20 with earnings of 120 million. 

Despite the huge gulf in resources, they are a point clear of Barca at the top of Spain's domestic league and three ahead of Real with six games left and are closing in on a first La Liga title since 1996 with a team featuring Simeone in midfield. 

At the same time, they have enjoyed another lucrative run in Europe and play their Champions League quarter-final, second leg at home to Barca on Wednesday with the pair locked at 1-1 after last week's first leg in the Catalan capital. 

Step back from the euphoria for a moment, however, and a glance at Atletico's accounts makes for grim reading. 

Figures for 2011-12 collated by Jose Maria Gay, a professor at the University of Barcelona and an expert on football finances, show the club are saddled with debts of more than 500 million euros and the cost of paying their players and staff alone is more than 90 percent of annual earnings. 

They had managed to stay afloat due to their unexpected winnings on the pitch and by convincing the government to let them fall behind in the payment of more than 100 million euros in taxes, according to Jaume Llopis, a professor at the IESE business school in Barcelona and football finance expert. 

The sale of top players like Fernando Torres, David De Gea and Sergio Aguero to the Premier League, a partnership with the Azerbaijan tourist board, reported to be worth 12 million euros over 18 months, and a deal with sporting goods maker Nike have also helped keep the wolves from the door, Llopis said. 

"Atletico Madrid's financial situation is dramatic," he told Reuters. 

"But this year because of the team's excellent results their economic problems are not talked about. 

"Only with their continued presence in the Champions League, locking in the sponsorship deal with Azerbaijan, attracting more sponsors and selling their best players can they improve their finances, although it will be very tough. 

"Either they stay in the Champions League and win the odd title which keeps the sponsors happy or they won't be able to straighten out their precarious economic situation." 

BRIGHT SPOT 

Angel Barajas, a professor of finance and accounting at the University of Vigo who specialises in sports economics, believes Atletico do not have the resources to challenge in more than one competition over the longer term. 

However, by selling their best players from time to time and buying decent replacements, as well as bringing through talent from the club's academy, they could remain a strong contender in the second rank behind the richest teams, he added. 

"Atletico's situation is problematic because of the level of debt but if they manage to keep wages under control and sell players to raise cash, while keeping their sporting model intact, they could stay at a good level," Barajas told Reuters. 

"What is not viable in the long term is trying to stay in the fight for La Liga and European silverware in competition with clubs who have more than twice their earnings. 

"One exceptional season is possible but competing at the highest level in various competitions needs not only a good team but an extraordinary squad. And that costs a great deal." 

Placido Rodriguez, a professor of economics at Oviedo University and a former chairman of Sporting Gijon, noted several examples of Spanish clubs with relatively limited resources that have challenged at the highest level before fading away again. 

These included Valencia, Villarreal, Deportivo La Coruna and Sevilla, who all had successful runs in Europe and either won or came close to winning La Liga in the past 15 years but like Atletico, have had to sell their top performers. 

One potential bright spot for Atletico, which would boost revenue and help secure their future, was the planned move from their crumbling Calderon stadium to a new 70,000-capacity arena at La Peineta, Rodriguez said. 

There are also plans for a vast new training complex which would include offices, a 15,000-seater stadium for the second and third teams and facilities and shops for fans. 

"If these two projects come off and they don't make any crazy financial decisions in the meantime, for example when results aren't going their way, Atletico's economic situation will be much improved," Rodriguez told Reuters. 

Atletico have already qualified for next season's Champions League and their run in the latest edition of the competition should see them climb the rankings in Deloitte's next Money League, the accounting firm said. (Reuters) 

READ MORE - Atletico success built on shaky economic foundations

I’m a demon on the pitch (but an angel at home) : Suarez

Suarez : I’m a demon on the pitch (but an angel at home) - Eurosport caught up with Liverpool star Luis Suarez, who admits he will do anything he can to win matches, but is the complete opposite at home.

In an exclusive interview for the Eurogoals show, Suarez was in jovial mood, talking about his amazing season, the World Cup in Brazil, and some of the controversies that have followed him throughout his career.

First up, he talked about his incredible campaign, and how he wants that form to continue through the summer:

“I think I’m having one of my best football seasons. Obviously I’m working very hard with Liverpool and I hope I take my success to the World Cup.

“For Uruguay it is the main focus and I can’t wait to play in Brazil.”

Then it was back to Liverpool, who are looking increasingly like they will be playing Champions League football next season – and are in with a shout at the Premier League title.

“This is a great club but we haven’t played Champions League for a while – to go there would be a fantastic dream.

“We’ve got an opportunity this year – the others say it’s an unforgettable experience to play Champions League at Anfield.”

Inevitably, the subject turned to the naughty things he has done throughout his career. But Suarez insisted that, while he has a tendency to misbehave on the pitch, it is merely his competitive spirit – and that he’s actually a nice man in real life.

He used his infamous handball against Ghana in the 2010 World Cup – which ultimately denied the Africans a place in the semi-final – as an example of how he can be a “demon on the pitch”.

“For me I was helping my team – I stopped the ball with my hand, I didn’t hurt anyone, and the referee did his job by sending me off and awarding a penalty.

“It could be a problem for me to be famous for controversies – but off the pitch I am closer to an angel and not a demon!

“On the pitch I do anything for the jersey, but I’m completely different at home with my family.” ( uk.eurosport.yahoo.com )

READ MORE - I’m a demon on the pitch (but an angel at home) : Suarez

Carles Puyol to leave Barcelona at end of season

Carles Puyol to leave Barcelona at end of season - Barcelona captain Carles Puyol announced on Tuesday that he will leave the club at the end of the season after a hugely successful 15-year career at the Camp Nou.

The 35-year-old, who did not reveal whether he will continue playing elsewhere, has been plagued by injuries over the last couple of seasons and has undergone three knee operations.

"At the end of the season I will leave FC Barcelona. The club are aware of this and we are in agreement," he said.

"We will rescind the final two years of my contract that were still to run."

Puyol signed a new deal with the club in January last year, but admitted in June that he would not stay if injuries continued to prevent him from playing a significant part on the field.

And having featured just 10 times this season in all competitions, he said it was time for a new challenge in a less physically demanding environment.

Barcelona's midfielder Carles Puyol poses prior to an announcement at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona on March 4, 2014 (AFP Photo/Lluis Gene) 

"After the last two operations it has been difficult for me to recover the level I need to be able to continue here, more than I expected and more than surgeons said. That is why I have taken this decision."

- Next destination still unknown -

Puyol didn't reveal where he would go at the end of the current campaign and insisted he will give everything in what remains of the season to help Barca succeed on three fronts.

"I am not leaving today, there are still three months of the season remaining and those that know me know that I will not give up until the end. I will continue fighting to help the team improve and achieve our objectives this season.

"I don't know what I will do on June 30. What I do know is that I will need time to rest. I have had four years without a break due to the injuries. That is what I will do and then we will see."

Barcelona's midfielder Carles Puyol (R) leaves after an announcement at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona on March 4, 2014 (AFP Photo/Lluis Gene) 

The announcement brings to an end an extraordinary career in the Barcelona first team that began in 1999. Puyol is the club's second most decorated player of all-time, behind only teammate Xavi Hernandez, having made 593 appearances.

After beginning his career as a right-back, Puyol was converted into one of the most successful centre-backs in world football over the past decade as he won three Champions Leagues and six La Liga titles with his boyhood club.

A number of Puyol's teammates past and present paid tribute to an historic figure in Spanish football.

"I will continue to enjoy being at your side until the end of this season. It has been an honour. I wish you the best for what is to come. There is no one like you captain," Andres Iniesta wrote on his official Facebook page.

"Thanks captain for all you have taught me. Good luck," Cesc Fabregas said in a tweet alongside a photo of the two of them just after Fabregas re-signed for the club in 2011.

Puyol was also a key part of the Spanish sides that won the European Championship in 2008 and the country's first World Cup in 2010, memorably heading home the goal that took his side to the final in South Africa with a 1-0 win over Germany.

"Carles is an example for everyone on and off the field," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said on Tuesday.

In total he has represented Spain 100 times with his last appearance coming in a 3-1 friendly win over Uruguay in February 2013, making him one of only eight players to have won a century of caps with La Roja.

"He is a natural leader, a person that when you hear his name you think of Barcelona," added former Barca midfielder Thiago Alcantara, now of Bayern Munich.

"In the time I was there he was a reference on and off the pitch. Everyone knows him and whilst Puyol is in the world of football, he will be an example for everyone." (AFP)

READ MORE - Carles Puyol to leave Barcelona at end of season