Twitter's Reaction to Carles Puyol's Decision to Leave Barcelona

Carles Puyol announced on Tuesday that he would be calling time on his illustrious and trophy-laden career at Barcelona.

It's not a bad time for him to announce it, on the back of his first goal of the season for Barcelona—in the 4-1 win over Almeria.

Given his status at the Catalan club, it comes as no surprise that his decision has led to a flood of reaction on Twitter—and here is some of the best.

Puyol netted a stunning goal to lift Spain to a 1-0 win over Germany in the 2010 World Cup semi-finals, and Alex Richards was quick to find it:

"

Carles Puyol - Some header http://t.co/RJ1YQYiVpD

— Alex Richards (@AA_Richards) March 4, 2014"

Barcelona were quick to pay their own tribute to a player who gave 19 years to the club:

"

#PHOTO | @Carles5puyol announces he will be leaving @FCBarcelona at the end of the 2013/14 season #GràciesPuyol pic.twitter.com/8UDvTwdE2T

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 4, 2014"

Puyol has said that he will continue to give his all, and we don't doubt it for a second:

"

"There are 3 months of the season left and I won’t be giving up", says @Carles5puyol #fcblive pic.twitter.com/MJiztda6ix

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 4, 2014"

Puyol is likely to have a flood of clubs banging down his door. But we feel Rob Dawson had his tongue firmly in cheek with this one:

"

David Moyes should find out if Carles Puyol can play in midfield.

— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonMEN) March 4, 2014"

AS have delved into their memory banks to find this clip of Puyol and his Barcelona pal Xavi:

"

A youthful Carles Puyol pictured with Xavi in August 2000. pic.twitter.com/UTSjMDcv6s

— AS English (@English_AS) March 4, 2014"

And as Alex Dimond has stated, Puyol of 2000 has a similar look to Puyol of 2014:

"

A footballer with the exact same haircut for his entire career. We may never see Carles Puyol's like again (Jonjo Shelvey excepted).

— Alex Dimond (@alexdimond) March 4, 2014"

Changing faces, yes, but not changing haircuts:

"

The changing faces of Puyol http://t.co/egMP3n7Bs9

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 4, 2014"

Puyol is not short of a few quid, and is sure to have some more coming his way, but to walk away from this sort of cash is bold:

"

Carles Puyol earns €8-9 million per year in current contract that ends in 2016.

— Juan Arango (@JuanG_Arango) March 4, 2014"

Did they know something?

"

Last Friday's cover RT @SportQatar_: An emotional one for @sport's English language edition: pic.twitter.com/feRMpUHRho

— Rik Sharma (@riksharma_) March 4, 2014"

We sort of knew Puyol's importance to Barca, but this proves it:

"

Carles Puyol: In the last 5 years, Barcelona have won 84.1% of the 88 La Liga matches Puyol has started and 74.4% of the 90 he did not

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 4, 2014"

 Legend is a word bandied around too often, but it's appropriate here:

"

“@Football__Tweet: Carlos Puyol career titles. What a legend. #FCBarça pic.twitter.com/MQ0tLeuKYi”

— Tom Brewitt (@TomBrewitt5) March 4, 2014"

During his Barca days, a certain Jose Mourinho was on hand to take a look at Puyol in a spot of bother:

"

José Mourinho looks on as Puyol is given the magic sponge and Louis Van Gaal has a few words in training. pic.twitter.com/oqsX8EAsXP

— AS English (@English_AS) March 4, 2014"