Barcelona centre-back Carles Puyol has insisted that he has not considered the possibility of retirement, despite recent troubles with injury.

Puyol, who is recovering from knee surgery undertaken last month, said that he intends to see out the rest of his contract and even extend it if he can prove his fitness.

"However much I've suffered, the passion and drive are still there," Marca quotes Puyol as saying. "I had trouble with my other knee for eight months, it was a real ordeal, but now it's perfect.

"If I have problems next season and something similar happens, I'll consider [retirement], but right now, I feel like I want to see out my contract and, if I can, extend it.

"Right now I'm focused on making sure my knee gets better and then we'll see what happens next season. Whatever decision I make will always be in Barcelona's best interest."

Puyol has been at Barcelona his whole career and has made 100 appearances for Spain.