Puyol plays down retirement talk

Carles Puyol has no intention of retiring from international football as he closes in on his 100th cap for Spain.

The world champions have already qualified for Euro 2012, but will be out to make it eight wins from as many games when they meet Scotland in Group I on Tuesday.

Puyol, 33, who recently returned from a knee injury that sidelined him for around six months, has won 95 caps for his country and the Barcelona defender said he wanted to play on beyond the century milestone.

“I feel good. Every day I feel better, but I have to take it day by day because it’s been a very long injury so I have to be patient,” he said on Sunday.

“To be honest I feel very happy because I don’t feel pain anymore and that’s very important.”

“To get to 100 games is one of my objectives but I still have a way to go. I’m happy with the matches I’ve played and hope to get to the 100 mark soon.”

Puyol came on in the second half in Spain’s 2-0 win over the Czech Republic on Friday as he eases back to match fitness.

Spain hold the record for most consecutive wins (15) and most consecutive games undefeated (35), but Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata said he and his team-mates were not focused on breaking them.

“We haven’t talked about it. It is true that this national team has broken a few records of matches won and trophies won,” Mata said.

“It’s obviously great for all of us to be here and enjoy this great moment in Spanish football. We haven’t talked about records because we think it’s better to break them than to talk about them.”