Puyol confident despite absence of magical Messi

Abu Dhabi: Barcelona skipper Carles Puyol served notice of his team's intention to add the Fifa Club World Cup to the five trophies that the Catalan giants have won so far this year.

"We have already won five. We want this sixth trophy, the one that we have never won," said the 31-year-old Spanish ace, adding that their little maestro Lionel Messi would be missing Wednesday's semifinal against Mexican side Atlante.

Messi injured his ankle after netting the winner against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Wednesday and is working to get fit again.

Training

"He stayed back in the hotel to take rest. He is very keen to recover fast and take part in this event," said Puyol, speaking to reporters after an hour-long training session at the Armed Forces Officers Club. Puyol and teammates trained after they had endured a 11-hour flight via Istanbul on Sunday night.

"We had a very warm welcome, caught some sleep and rest and now we are out here. We have already made history but we want more, that's why we're here," said Puyol.

Recounting the club's loss in the tournament in 2006, Puyol said: "We had a chance to win this but it did not happen. This time we are determined. Barca will become the only club in the world to win six cups in a year and we are really keen to achieve that rare record."

Commenting on Barca's rivals Atlante and their star player Santiago Solari, Puyol said: "They are a very good side. They have some very good players who are highly skilful and we are not taking them lightly."

"Solari is also known to most of us as he has played against us and he is another influential player. His team play attacking football," Puyol added.

After playing in freezing temperatures in Kiev on Wednesday and equally chilly conditions in Barcelona on Saturday, Puyol said his team were delighted with the climate here.

"The atmosphere here is great and we like it like this. The team is very settled and we are looking at a win here," said the skipper, who has been rock solid in defence for Barcelona and Spain.