Former FC Barcelona And Spain Star Carles Puyol Named Newest Laureus Ambassador

Carles Puyol, one of Spain’s greatest and most popular footballers, is today named as the newest Laureus Ambassador. The announcement was made on the eve of the Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai.

Considered to be one of the finest central defenders in the history of football, Puyol has played for FC Barcelona since 1999, playing almost 600 games and winning 21 major trophies. The Barca captain for 10 years, he raised a historic six trophies during the 1999-2000 season including La Liga; Copa del Rey; Supercopa de España; UEFA Champions League; the European Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

Puyol said: “I am very happy to join the Laureus Family. Sport has given me so much over the years and I want to do all I can to give back to society. I know Laureus has many projects and I think sport is a fantastic tool to inspire youth.”

He now joins the Laureus Family to support the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which uses sport to achieve social change and improve the lives of young people around the world.

Gabriel Masfurroll, President of the Laureus Foundation in Spain, said: “Football has brought out the best of Carles Puyol and Puyol has known how to get the best out of football. We are very excited and proud that he is now joining our team of Ambassadors. Because of his sports experience and the great enthusiasm he has in everything he does, we think he has much to contribute to the Laureus Foundation and help young people.”

Puyol has had a long career in football, making his debut at the age of 14 at Pallars Jussà in his hometown, and at age of 17 he was signed by the youth ranks of FC Barcelona. He made his full international for the Spain National team in 2000, captaining the side to victory in the UEFA Championship in 2008 and the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and ending up with 100 caps.

Puyol joins an impressive list of former and current sportsmen and women as Laureus Ambassadors, who, along with the members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, support the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

The mission of the Foundation is to utilise the power of sport to address social problems through a global programme of sports related community development initiatives. Laureus currently supports more than 150 projects around the world which have helped to improve the lives of millions of young people.

For more information, please contact:

Virginie Bernon

Senior International Media & PR Manager

Tel: +44 (0) 207 514 2841

Email: publicrelations@laureus.com