Thanks to a combination of talent, humility, dedication and a ferocious work ethic, Carles Puyol has developed into a first-choice central defender for both Spain and Barcelona. What makes this feat even more notable is that the 32-year-old Catalan started out in the Barça youth system as a right winger, before a succession of coaches decided the best place for this fierce competitor was further back.
Indeed, his first-team debut under the Azulgranas' former coach Louis Van Gaal came as a right wing-back, with the Dutch strategist soon making full use of Puyol's versatility and indefatigable spirit by changing his position once more; this time to the heart of the defensive line.
