Warm welcome for Puyol for his contract extension and Piqué for becoming a father

Barcelona (FCB).- This morning’s training session to prepare for the Spanish Cup quarter final game to be played tomorrow started with smiles and a round of applause. Barça’s first team players gathered in the middle of the training field before the session to congratulate Gerard Piqué and Carles Puyol. The two Catalan defenders were the focus of attention for different reasons:

Piqué becomes a father

Piqué and his partner Shakira became parents for the first time on Tuesday evening when their son, Milan Piqué Mebarak, was born. The player didn’t miss this morning’s training session, and his team-mates took advantage of his presence to congratulate him  on the newest addition to his family.

Captain Carles Puyol signs through 2016

Carles Puyol was also congratulated by his teammates. The defender extended his contract with FC Barcelona through June 30 of 2016. The captain, who along with Piqué is part of the 19-man squad for the match against Málaga on Thursday, recognised when he signed his contract extension that he’d like to play competitively until he’s 40.