Retirement not on Puyol´s mind

Carles Puyol insists that he has no intention to retire from international football after being ruled out of Euro 2012 with a knee injury.

Barcelona announced on Tuesday that the defender will be out of action for an estimated six weeks due to a knee operation, and the 34-year-old has admitted that recovering in time for the tournament is ‘impossible’.

However, Puyol is not willing to hang up the boots just yet.

“The rumours that I will retire from the national team? I want to retire on the pitch, not in the operating room,” the Spain centre-half told reporters.

“I was looking forward to playing my 100th game for Spain and to be at Euro 2012. I think it will very difficult to make the tournament, though. Looking at the recovery time needed, it’s impossible.

“However, I’m in good spirits. These things happen, although it’s at a bad moment. I’m looking forward to starting the recovery process after the surgery.

“I want to go on for many more years. I always say five or six. I will take care of myself. If I can make my 100th appearance for Spain later on, that’s fine too.”

Puyol made his official Spain debut in November 2000 in an international friendly against Netherlands, and has gone on to make 99 appearances for the reigning European and world champions.

The defender last featured for Spain in the 2-2 friendly draw against Costa Rica on November 15 2011.