Barcelona bid farewell to Carles Puyol on Thursday as he's set to leave their club to retire at the age of 36 after a 15-year career.
Puyol held a press conference and confirmed his ongoing knee injury will force him to retire.
"We tried everything and I'd like to thank the doctors and physios for everything. We've not figured out a way to fix it, but I've not given up. I'll keep trying to sort it out but now without the pressure of having to play."
He thought it unlikely he would stay on as a coach, saying: "I don't think I'll be a coach, it's not what I'd like most. Maybe I'll change my mind but for now I want to do other things."
Puyol captained the club since 2004 and helped lead Barça to three Champions League championships, six titles in La Liga, two Spanish Cups, along with a World Cup and European Championship.
"I would never have thought then that I would have this great career.
"I've lived the dream of so many young kids, doing what I most enjoy in life, playing football and training. I've won lots of titles but the most important thing is the human warmth and feeling I take from this club. I came here as a boy and I'm leaving with a family who I'm really proud of."
Via The Guardian