Carles Puyol Eager To Cap Barcelona Treble With Spain Success

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol was one of the integral figures but unsung heroes in his side’s phenomenal treble glory this past term, after leading the club to Primera Division, Champions League and Copa del Rey triumph.

Now, the defender is hoping to put the icing on the cake as he sets his sights on Confederations Cup success with the Spanish national team, despite having gone through a long, arduous club campaign.

“To be honest, I am feeling very well. After winning the treble, psychologically you feel excellent and everything becomes easier,” he said in an interview with Sport.

“Of course, there will be certain players who have played more games and they will be more tired, but we are all here with the same desire and motivation to win the Confederations Cup.

“It is evident that once you arrive here, you want to win it. Sure, the Eurocopa and the World Cup is more important but we are excited to be in the semi-finals.

"We are motivated to get to the finals because, for example, I have never played against Brazil. They are the best national side in the world and they have fantastic players, and it would be great to measure up against them during the match.”

It has indeed been a spectacular 12 months for Spanish football, with La Furia Roja winning Euro 2008 to Barca’s Champions League triumph. And Puyol is eager to make sure it continues into 2010 for the grandest show on earth.

“It was impossible to dream or even think of something like that at the beginning of the season,” he confessed.

“Everything began with the Eurocopa and soon, I had three titles with Barca and it would be sensational to return to South Africa to win [the World Cup]. The opportunity has arrived and we will try to take it.”

The 31-year-old Blaugrana skipper also admitted that he is keen to lift the Confederations Cup for his injured comrade, Andres Iniesta.

“He is a good friend and I know he’s disappointed with the injury because he really wanted to be here,” he explained.

“He was in spectacular form, but he also gave a tremendous effort to be fit for the [Champions League] final and he played brilliantly. We have to thank him for his commitment to Barca.

“I talk to him regularly and we wish each other luck and I expect to see him make a quick recovery so that he can join us for the preseason.

“If we win the Confederations Cup, I will dedicate it to him. He deserves it.”

Spain will take on the United States in the first semi-final on Wednesday 20:30 CET and the victor will meet either Brazil or hosts South Africa in the final on Sunday.

KS Leong, Goal.com