Puyol: There are two ways to lead, through words or by example, and I prefer the latter

According to Diario Sport, Carles Puyol spoke about Barcelona, family life, and his decision to hand the captain's armband to Abidal in 2011 while attending the IFA 2026 event in Berlin.

More than ten years after retiring, Puyol admitted that football still makes his heart race, only now he experiences it from a different role. “Football is my passion. I was very fortunate in Barcelona because for nearly 20 years, I was able to do what I loved at the club I loved most.” Puyol explained, “Now I support the club from the other side, watching matches at home. I try not to miss any game. I still get very nervous. When I was playing, I was more nervous before matches; now as a fan, I am even more nervous when kickoff arrives.”

Puyol said: “I like watching games at home, with friends and family. I always find a way to fit matches into lunches or dinners. I now experience a lot of pressure for the club I love, but I still have a lot of confidence because I think we have a very strong team. Hopefully we can achieve better results this season.”

Speaking about life after leaving the pitch, Puyol said his daily routine is peaceful and mainly centered around his family. “Fortunately, after retirement I have continued to live a very fulfilling life. I travel around the world, give talks, and also get the chance to enjoy playing through Barcelona Legends matches. I have some businesses and also work with brands. Outside of work, my daily life is very calm and focused on family.” Puyol said, “I get up with my daughters and try to enjoy every moment. They are still young, 10 and 12 years old. I think the roles of fathers and mothers are very important, and being able to be by their side is very important.”

The former player also described his daily routine: “I take my daughters to school. Once they go to school, it is my turn. Then I exercise, take my dog up the mountain, and have some work meetings afterward. I have lunch at noon, and in the afternoon I pick them up from school. They either go to extracurricular activities or stay at home. It is a very peaceful, family-focused life, and I like it very much.”

The most touching moment of the conversation came when Puyol recalled the scene from the 2011 Wembley final: he gave the captain's armband to Eric Abidal and allowed him to lift the Champions League trophy. The former captain also discussed the background behind that moment.

Puyol said: “Eric Abidal was diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, this illness is very common in society, but it is not common among football teams, young people, athletes, and people who are physically healthy. It was a blow for the entire dressing room. I remember visiting him in the hospital and feeling very down, but I left with a smile because the energy he gave off was so strong. A few weeks later, he started training with the team, step by step and gradually, and in the end he truly returned to the pitch. It was not just one match, but the Champions League final.”

Puyol explained when he made that decision: “I remember I was still lying on a stretcher at the time because I also had knee problems. That was when I decided Eric was the person most deserving of lifting that trophy, because he taught us so much, because he had given so much, and because he was able to stand together with the team. I am very happy and very proud of that decision.”

He also recalled the moment when he told his teammates about the decision: “I went to see Eric and said to him: ‘Eric, brother, you deserve to lift this trophy. Take the armband.’ He asked me: ‘Really?’ I said, of course, enjoy this moment, because everyone will ask you what it feels like to lift the trophy, and you simply cannot describe it. I was fortunate enough to lift the Champions League trophy twice before, and it was a magical and unique moment.”

Finally, when asked how he understood leadership, Puyol gave a firm answer: “A leader and a captain must always put the team's interests before personal interests. I have done that throughout my entire career. The team and Barcelona have always come before me personally. That is how I understand this sport.”

Puyol summarized his football philosophy in one sentence: “There are two ways to lead, through words or through example. I prefer the latter, because words can convince people, but example can inspire people to follow. If you say something but do not do it yourself, others will quickly stop following you. But if you do it first, everyone will follow you.”