FC Barcelona legend Carles Puyol has turned down the opportunity to return to the club where he made more than 500 competitive appearances.
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The 41-year-old spent his entire professional career with the Catalan giants, the majority of which he served as captain, and won six LaLiga titles and three UEFA Champions League crowns as a Blaugrana player.
Puyol's longstanding affiliation with the club saw him linked with a return to Barcelona in a sporting director role, but the former Spain international has now confirmed his decision to turn down the offer.
"In recent weeks, different news about my possible incorporation to FC Barcelona as Sports Director have been published," Puyol tweeted, as translated by Marca.
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"That is why I feel obliged to communicate to the whole family that, after weighing it up a lot, I have decided not to accept the offer of the club.
"It has not been an easy decision, since I have always said that I would like to return to what I consider my home, but various personal projects in which I am immersed would prevent me from giving him the exclusive dedication that the position deserves.
"I would like to thank the club for the trust placed in me by offering me this position of so much responsibility."
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Puyol made 593 appearances for Barca, and is the club's fourth-most capped player of all time, behind former teammates Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Xavi Hernandez.
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