A send-off ceremony was held on Thursday to mark Barcelona and Spain star Carles Puyol's retirement from playing soccer.
The 35-year-old wanted to play until he was 40, but he has been forced to retire because of a serious knee injury. The defender made his debut for Barcelona in 1999 and spent his entire career with the club. Puyol helped Barcelona win three Champions League titles and was a major factor in Spain winning its first ever World Cup in 2010.
On Thursday, Puyol looked back on a successful career and thanked all those who helped him along the way.
"To my teammates (Barca and Spanish national team) with whom we did so much and I have enjoyed so immensely by being among them, thank you all, and I wish you luck in Brazil. (In Catalan) I don't want to forget mentioning the Barca fans. They have always supported me unconditionally during good and bad times. They have always been by my side. I think I have been very lucky because of that. And, lastly, I want to remember people who sadly are not among us anymore and have been very important for me: my father, Antonio Oliveres, Miki Roque, Luis Aragones and Tito Vilanova. For me, this is the end of an era. A new one begins, and I wish I will enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed this one. Thank you very much, and long live Barca," Puyol said.