BARCELONA, Spain (AP):

Carles Puyol reluctantly quit football yesterday, his knees no longer able to endure the demands of the Barcelona defence after 15 years, the most successful period in the club's history.

At an organised send-off at the Camp Nou, Puyol said his goodbyes having won 21 trophies since his debut during the 1998-99 season, with nagging knee injuries having forced him out.

"I gave everything. (But) we couldn't find a solution (to the injury) though we never stopped trying," said Puyol, who ruled out playing for any other club due to his knee injury. "I'll keep trying (to get better) but, now, without the pressure of playing."

Puyol made just under 600 appearances for the club, and as the captain he led the Catalan club to three Champions League titles and six Spanish league trophies.

"For me, this is the end of an era. A new one begins and I wish I will enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed this one," Puyol said. "I can't believe the career I've had. I've lived the dream of millions of children."

The 36-year-old Puyol made 100 appearances for Spain, winning the 2010 World Cup following the European Championship in 2008.

Puyol said his best memory was after beating Manchester United in the 2011 Champions League final, when he handed the captain's armband to teammate Eric Abidal so he could lift the European Cup first. Abidal had been battling liver cancer.

"You have always looked after your teammates. Those who needed you, those newly arrived, those injured, or those who wouldn't play very often," club and Spain teammate Xavi Hernandez said. "Fifteen years in the first team means a lot."

With goalkeeper Victor Valdes set to exit this summer, Puyol did not see their departures as the end of the current cycle.

"It's not the end of a Barca cycle. One stage has come to an end but this team is strong and young," said Puyol, who would like to continue working at the club.