The FC Barcelona strongman has been rested for one week after tests revealed his bruise will need about seven days to heal.


Puyol was substituted in the 78th minute of the match against Real Madrid after receiving an earlier knock to his right knee from a ferocious tackle by Raul Gonzalez. There were initial fears that the injury that sidelined Puyol for over three months was going to rear its head again. However, such fears have been cut off after scans and tests revealed that Carles Puyol will be having a quiet Christmas and will not be available for active training when Barca's camp re-opens on December 29th. It's stil not certain if Puyol will be playing in FC Barcelona next match against Alcoyano in the Copa Del Rey quarter final second leg match slated for Camp Nou on January 2nd, 2008.

It was good news and bad news for FC Barcelona as Puyol was secured while Marquez was sidelined.


The injury fears on Mexican star Marquez has now been confirmed, after tests revealed that Rafael Márquez will be out of action for around four weeks after tests revealed that he has torn a muscle in his right leg, but the good news was that it has not affected his calf muscle. The Mexican international joins Gianluca Zambrotta, Touré Yaya, Edmílson and Samuel Eto'o in the treatment room after suffering the blow in the Champions League game against VfB Stuttgart on Tuesday evening.


Carles Puyol, who returned from injury only last week, also suffered another injury against Stuttgart. This forced Puyol to be replaced in the match, even though he had earlier come in for the injured Marquez. However, the good news is that the Barca Captain's injury is thought to be less serious than Márquez's. After stretching for a high ball, Puyol strained his calf muscle but it is predicted that he will still be available to play for Barça next Sunday against Atlético de Madrid. Puyol and Eric Abidal are expected to man the central defence area for Barca in the meantime.

After playing the entire second half against Levante, Carles Puyol is in high spirits.


The injured FC Barcelona captain was laid off for three months and is now back in full flight action. Puyol will marshall the Barca defence Tuesday night against VfB Stuttgart in the Champions League match day 2 clash in Germany. The Spanish International speaks on his experience while in injury and how much he loved to be back, also commenting on the two draws Barca played out in their first two La Liga games. Read all about this:


Exclusive Interview With FC Barcelona Captain Carles Puyol.

Puyol to test old might against Levante.


Three months after undergoing surgery, FC Barcelona's strong defender and captain, Carles puyol, is set to return to active soccer. Puyol has been named in the Barça squad for the first time this season, while Rafa Márquez and Gianluca Zambrotta are out through injury.
Also included in the squad are Marc Crosas and Eidur Gudjohnsen. Ronaldinho is also omitted from the squad, as the Brazilian continued his private treatment at La Masia in a bid to recover fully for the long season ahead.

The full squad against Levante is seen below:


Valdés, Jorquera, Olegue, Puyol, Milito, Thuram, Abidal, Sylvinho, Touré, Crosas, Xavi, Deco, Iniesta, Gudjohnsen, Messi, Giovani, Bojan, Henry.

Barca strong man, Carles Puyol prepares to launch his return to active soccer either as a right-full back or in the central defence.


FC Barcelona's inspirational captain, Carles Puyol is back in the team and is ready to take on challenges in the La Liga without any delay. The club's doctors gave Puyol the green light after he came through a full-size training match with Barça's youth team players. Puyol led the his side to a 3-1 win, with the last goal coming after a superb solo effort from young sensation Bojan Krkic, who ran all the way down the opposing side's area and netted the third goal. Puyol returns after three months of no action, from a damaged ligament in his left knee after a friendly in South Africa at the end of last season. Puyol underwent surgery in June to repair the problem.
The Barca captain may or may not appear in Barca's next La Liga match against Levante, as coach Frank Rijkaard is yet to name his squad for the encounter.