Aufsichtsperson » this season after returning from a long-term knee injury

BARCELONA, Spain -- Barcelona defender Carles Puyol has decided to leave the club at the end of the season, preferring to take some time off after several injury-filled seasons and putting his football future in doubt. The 35-year-old Puyol has spent his entire career with Barcelona, debuting in 1999. But he has made only 12 appearances this season after returning from a long-term knee injury in October. Puyol has been an essential figure in Barcelonas and Spains recent achievements, including helping Spain win the 2010 World Cup and leading Barcelona to three Champions League titles. Puyol said Barcelona has agreed to rescind his contract at the end of the season despite two years remaining on his deal. "The recovery from my knee injury was more difficult than expected. I cannot perform anymore at the level Id want," Puyol said Tuesday. "When the season ends I need to rest and then we will see. Ive got three months left and Im going to give my all for Barca, but I dont know what Ill do at the end of the season." Puyol did not take questions Tuesday as teammates Gerard Pique, Cristian Tello and Jose Manuel Pinto, and former teammate Ivan de la Pena watched. Puyol is a homegrown success story for the Catalan club, coming through the La Masia youth program like teammates Xavi Hernandez, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta. He was nicknamed "Tarzan" for his scraggly locks which shielded his face and intimidated opponents despite his small stature. His energetic and physical style of play fit perfectly with his leadership qualities, earning him the captains armband at Barcelona until recent injury spells. Puyol, who was raised in the Catalan town of Pobla de Segur, trails only Xavi in appearances made for the club. He scored his first goal of the season in Sundays 4-1 win over Almeria. Puyol won his first trophy with the club in the 2004-05 season -- the first of six league titles. He also won the Club World Cup, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and European Super Cup to go along with Champions League titles in 2006, 09, and 11. At the World Cup in South Africa, Puyol headed in the winning goal in the 1-0 semifinal victory over Germany. "Hes a reference for every player and a leader on the field of play," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. Clint Capela Jersey . With the team he supported as a child on the verge of reaching the Champions League semifinals for the first time in 19 years, Ba instead scored the goal that knocked them out. Chris Paul Jersey . In the last race before the Sochi Olympics, Bjoergen followed up her win in the 10-kilometre classical race on Saturday by beating World Cup sprint leader Denise Herrmann of Germany by 0.43 seconds for her fifth victory of the season. http://www.therocketsofficial.com/Authentic-Eric-Gordon-Rockets-Jersey/ . The Brazilian driver had the second-best time in last months tests at Jerez and said the "good start" could play to his advantage when the season gets underway in Australia in March. Steve Francis Jersey . The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the league hasnt announced the award. Crawford was the Clippers third-leading scorer and the NBAs top-scoring reserve with 18. Robert Horry Jersey . He made another correct read. The Browns, who have been shuttling quarterbacks on and off the field all season, finally got some good news on that front: Campbells ribs are only bruised. While neither team wants to look too far ahead, its no secret that the Canadiens and Lightning are headed on a collision course to meet in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. With just two points separating the two clubs, tonights match-up in Tampa Bay wont be just a playoff preview, but also play a factor in which team will have home ice. Montreal has the chance to secure a playoff berth if they defeat the Lightning in any fashion or if they get one point against the Lightning and the Capitals lose to the Stars in any fashion or if the Capitals lose to the Stars in regulation and the Devils lose to the Sabres in any fashion. The Lightning, who hold a game in hand on Montreal, would clinch a playoff spot if they defeat the Canadiens in any fashion and the Capitals lose to the Stars in regulation and the Devils lose to the Sabres in any fashion. Got all that? This will be the first time the Canadiens face Steven Stamkos this year. He missed the prior three games, which were all settled beyond regulatioon.ddddddddddddTampa Bay has won two of the three games. The Lightning are 4-0-3 in their past seven games at home, and kick off a six-game homestand tonight, but Montreal has won its past three games in Tampa Bay.? Carey Price and Ben Bishop have played in all three games of the season series and share identical .962 save percentage numbers against each other. Neither team has scored a power play goal against each other this year, both going 0-10. Valterri Filppula has the hot stick for the Lighting, riding a 12-game point streak (5-11-16pts), while Daniel Briere has scored twice against Tampa. His next goal will be his 300th NHL marker. The Habs have juggled the forward lines for tonight, moving Lars Eller on the third line wing position. 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