ON THIS DAY: Barcelona bid farewell to Carles Puyol

On this day - in 2014 - Carles Puyol officially retires from playing for Barcelona on May 15th.

Barcelona's most famous captain Puyol was honoured with an official farewell ceremony at Camp Nou's auditorium.

The 42-year-old former footballer had the intention of retiring at 40, but several injury-filled seasons made him take the decision at the age of 35.

The defender made his debut for Barcelona in 1999 and had spent his entire career with the club.

Puyol helped Barcelona win three Champions League titles and Spain win the 2010 World Cup.

Puyol was not the only high profile player to leave Barca in 2014 season, as goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who had been sidelined for six months with a knee injury, also left the club for Monaco in the French league the next season.

Xavi Hernandez resumed on the captaincy then, with Andres Iniesta as second and Lionel Messi as third.