Carles Puyol interview: On Pep and inspiring youngsters

You are an example to thousands of children who admire you. What advice would you give the kids who want to be the next Puyol?

I've lived for and through football 24 hours a day. I've never fooled myself. There are other players with more quality than me, but I've always had more desire than anyone, more passion, more hope, more will to learn. I've lived my profession with so much intensity that now I want to transmit that to the boys we work with and assess. 

What do you say to youngsters?

That they have chosen the most marvelous profession that exists, to be a footballer. I've been with players with a lot of talent but not the passion to continue and keep fighting, and when things go wrong they sink or choose another path.

Looking back, what do you see?

That every sacrifice I've made has been worth it and they have paid me back tenfold.

How do you explain Barcelona's dominance?

Johan Cruyff had the idea of playing football very well, however much it demands. His philosophy has lit up all of this path. He's given us an indelible legend. He's responsible for all these successes. 

You played with Ronaldinho. What did he bring?

He arrived at a terrible moment in Barcelona's history. We were all down and he helped return the smile to us, the fans, the team. Thanks to him, the dynamic changed.

The reign of Ronnie didn't last long...

I'll always be grateful to him as a Cule and a team-mate. I don't like it because he could have been a player even greater than he was and made more history than he did.

Van Gaal gave you your debut.

He was a great professional and a very demanding coach. If not for him. I might not have got into the Barcelona first team, so he has my eternal thanks. 

What did Rijkaard give you?

He believed in me blindly and he too helped change the losing dynamic of Barcelona, into a winning one. He was one of the leaders of this Barcelona team. And in 2008, Pep Guardiola. He was a fierce bet, a risk, from Laporta and Txiki. Pep was the first to lead the way. He asked us all to go with him, that this was the moment to show what we were. He was and is a total leader. Without doubt, the best coach I have had. 

What did Pep have?

He makes you believe. He prepares for games meticulously. And what he tells you, comes true. An incredible power of conviction. He knows how to motivate you and get the best out of you. He truly believed in us. He showed it with Busi and Pedro. Pep demanded playing good football. It was non-negociable.