Carles Puyol has gone down in history as one of the greatest ever defenders.The Catalonian played his whole career at Barcelona.He was given the armband in 2004 and went on to help the club to 18 trophies.Puyol led by example right up until he retired from the game in 2014.He wasn't just a brilliant defender - he was a model professional and a true sportsman.And he emphasised those traits on April 29, 2012 in Barcelona's La Liga clash vs Rayo.Rayo were lingering near the bottom of La Liga. With just a few games of the season to go, they needed points to ensure their survival in Spain's top tier.p1fgkfb6uj1tt49m91aei1hgf1uhhb.jpgENTER GIVEAWAYBut Barcelona, who were competing with Real Madrid for the title, ran riot.Barca emerged 7-0 victors. Their fifth goal was scored by Thiago in the 78th minute.The midfielder had already celebrated one of Barcelona's goals by dancing with Dani Alves. They decided to do it again when Barca made it 5-0.Puyol in action for BarcelonaNow, there's nothing wrong with celebrating a goal. But, in the grand scheme of things, Thiago's goal did not matter at all given the game was only won.Puyol recognised that their dance may have come across as disrespectful and he decided to act.Sprinting up from defence, the legendary captain gave Alves and Thiago a piece of his mind as he broke up their celebration.

Alves and Thiago then went on to apologise to Rayo after the game.

"I want to apologise to the Rayo fans who felt offended by the dance. It was never my intention to offend anyone, I just wanted to have a good time," Alves said after the game, per Tribuna.

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"Because they told me once when I was a child that football was all about having a good time. Besides that, great job by the team."

Thiago also commented: "I apologise if I have offended Rayo during the celebration. The emotions running through me made me make a mistake. It won't happen again."

Puyol's actions that day are one of the many reasons why he is considered one of the greatest captains of all time.