Carles Puyol Injured; Monreal to Take His Place

August 31st, 2010 | by: Ade C. |

Bad news as La Selección meets before their qualifying match against Liechstein and the friendly against Argentina.

AlbiolPuyol

Third captain Carles Puyol did not play for FC Barcelona in their debut in La Liga over the weekend, due to some unspecified trouble in his right left leg, but he reported to the Spain NT along with the rest of the team. He was examined and declared fit, but during the warm-up exercises before the first training session on Tuesday afternoon, he felt a sharp pain on his left calf and limped to the sidelines requesting medical assistance. Several test later, the RFEF released a statement announcing he was injured and would return to Barcelona to recover, while Osasuna’s Ignacio Monreal (who was also called up for the Mexico friendly) is to fill his place in the squad.

Bad news for the Barcelona fans and those betting for the Puyol-Piqué CB partnership to last, but at least (with Raúl Albiol also injured), it forces Vicente del Bosque to figure out alternatives for this position. Personally, I was rooting for Athletic de Bilbao’s Fernando Amorebieta, who recently turned down a call from the Venezuela NT, waiting for La Roja, but Monreal is fully deserving and I’m sure he’ll do very well!

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ROD

“Third captain Carles Puyol”
He's 1st vice captain
Zizou5

Thats what i was gona ask, If Puyol is 3rd who's 2nd?
Zizou5

Isn't Monreal a LB though….
http://spain.worldcupblog.org/ Ade C.

Xavi. Xavi is the second captain/first vice-captain/whatever-you-want-to-call-it. He has seniority over Puyol in the NT, although it's the other way round at Barça.
ROD

no he's not Puyol is first vice captain
stephanie87

Well as much as I love our Tarzaan that is Puyol. You do make a very valid point. Vicente must provide younger talent a chance to prove themselves worthy to fill his shoes when the time comes. I don't know how I feel about him taking Torres(he just now finally broke his scoring duck). Let's just hope for the best. VIVA ESPANA!
http://spain.worldcupblog.org/ Ade C.

Is he? I definitely thought it was the other way round…
ROD

alvaro dominguez is the perfect replacement for puyol
Rojillo86

Monreal is a left back. Also his name is Nacho (Ignacio) Monreal not Oscar.

Gora Osasuna!
http://spain.worldcupblog.org/ Ade C.

You're of course right about Nacho, Rojillo. This is what I get for doing posts past midnight while freaking out about Puyol's injury…
Rojillo86

No problem Ade. Stumbled upon this blog jsut before the World Cup and loved it. Keep up the good work.
Zizou5

Oh well Iker is younger than both so it won't matter I reckon Puyol would be a better captain than Xavi though.
Real_7

Xavi started in the national team before Puyol that is why he is first vice Captain…the give it in Spain to seniority ..that is all
Bob 77

Spain is the best team of the world soccer teamin 2009 it good thing they are. spain is going to be the best team in 2012. If you thing spain is not cool you should suck dick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!