Carles Puyol

About

Defender whose game-winning header goal against Germany in the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup helped lead Spain to their first ever World Cup Championship. He began his club career with Barcelona in 1999 and became one of the team's leaders for the next decade and a half.

Before Fame

Growing up in Catalonia, he began his soccer career as a goalkeeper and forward before finding his true calling as a defender.

Trivia

He was named the UEFA Club Best Defender in 2006.

Family Life

He was born in 1978 in La Pobla de Segur, Spain. He began dating Spanish model Vanessa Lorenzo in 2012.

Associated With

He won the FIFA World Cup with teammate David Villa in 2010.