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Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Víctor Valdés | Biography

Víctor Valdés i Arribas (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈbiktor βalˈdes aˈriβas]; born 14 January 1982) is a Spanish football goalkeeper who currently plays for FC Barcelona in La Liga.
He is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Barcelona's history, having won a total of 19 trophies including five La Liga titles, three Champions League titles, and two Copa del Rey titles. He also has won the Zamora Trophy a record five times. He currently holds the club records as goalkeeper with most appearances in the league and in official competition, breaking Andoni Zubizarreta's records during the 2011–12 season. Before joining the full team in 2002–03 season, Valdés played for the youth teams andFC Barcelona B.

Early career[edit source | editbeta]

Born in L'Hospitalet de LlobregatBarcelonaCatalonia, to José Manuel Valdés and Águeda Arribas and has two brothers, elder Ricardo and younger Álvaro, Valdés started his career with FC Barcelona's youth team when he joined from Peña Cinco Copas on 1 July 1992. But in September, he moved with his family to Tenerife and had to leave the club, rejoining only three years later. After returning, he made quick progress through the youth teams.

Barcelona[edit source | editbeta]

The early part of the 2002–03 season saw him play deputy to Argentine internationalRoberto Bonano. The arrival of Radomir Antić as the new manager saw regular first team opportunities for him.
In the 2003–04 season, he emerged as first-choice goalkeeper, and in the 2004–05 season, he played in almost all of Barcelona's matches helping Barcelona to their firstleague title in six years. He also won the Zamora Trophy for the best goalkeeper in Spain.
"For me, Valdes is the best in the world. When Barca need calm, he transmits that. He also has great capacity and handling."
José Luis Chilavert, February 2012[1]
In the 2005–06 season, he helped Barça to the double. He played a big part in Barça's 2005–06title and in the final against Arsenal, he deniedThierry Henry twice from point-blank range. His efforts saw him singled out for praise from Frank Rijkaard. The "Zamora" title, however, eluded him as Valdés came third after Santiago Cañizaresand the winner, José Manuel Pinto.
Valdés playing for Barcelona during a match against Mallorca, 2007.
On 17 June 2007, the last round in La Liga, Valdés matched a goalkeeping record held by Barcelona legend Andoni Zubizarreta; a record of starting, and never being substituted, in all 38 matches of the La Liga season.[2]
Valdés set the Barcelona club record for not conceding a goal in European competition with a clean sheet against Rangers on 7 November 2007, which saw him re-write the Barça record books after not conceding a goal for 466 minutes. Valdés was beaten twice by Olympique Lyonnais' captain Juninho through a 45-yard free kick and a late penalty at the Stade de Gerland, ending his streak.[3] In the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons, however, Barça failed to win a major trophy. On 1 April 2008, Valdés made his 250th appearance for Barcelona.
On 27 May 2009, Barcelona beat Manchester United 2–0 in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final to complete an unprecedented Treble of La Liga, Champions League, and Copa del Rey. In the match, Valdés made two crucial saves from attempts by Cristiano Ronaldo in both halves. In the first half, he saved a long-range free kick, and in the second half, he saved the other from Ronaldo, coming from a tight angle following a low cross from Dimitar Berbatov.
On 16 May 2010, Valdés won his fourth title as Barcelona clinched a second successiveSpanish league title with Pep Guardiola's side, ending the season with 99 points.[4]
"For me, the three best goalkeepers in the world are Casillas, Buffon, and Valdes."
Bodo Illgner, February 2013[5]
On 29 August 2011, Valdés played his 410th match with Barcelona and equaled Andoni Zubizarreta's record as Barcelona's goalkeeper with the most appearances.[6]
On 31 May 2013, Valdés announced that he would not renew his contract, which expires at the end of the next summer, with Barcelona.[7]

International career[edit source | editbeta]

Valdés was a member of Spain's squad at both the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012.
On 16 August 2005, Valdés was called up for a friendly game against Uruguay, but he did not make a debut.[8] On 20 May 2010, he was included in Spain's final 23-man squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as the third-choice goalkeeper behindIker Casillas and Pepe Reina respectively, wearing the No. 12 shirt.[9]
On 3 June 2010, Valdés earned his first cap by starting in a friendly match between Spain and South Korea at Tivoli-Neu in InnsbruckAustria. Coincidentally it was 10 years to the day since compatriot Iker Casillas made his debut for the national team.[10] In July 2010, he won the 2010 World Cup with Spain. He won his second cap in Spain's 1–1 draw against Mexico, coming on as a second-half substitute for Iker Casillas.

Career statistics[edit source | editbeta]

Club[edit source | editbeta]

As of 1 September 2013.[11][12][13][14]
ClubSeasonLeagueCupEuropeOther[15]Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Barcelona B2000–011414
2001–02[16]4343
2002–032020
Total7777
Barcelona2002–031400060200
2003–043306050440
2004–053500080430
2005–063500012020490
2006–07380008040500
2007–0835060110520
2008–0935000140490
2009–103800012050550
2010–113200011010440
2011–123500011050510
2012–133100011020440
2013–143000002050
Total364012010902105060
Career totals441012010902105830

International[edit source | editbeta]

Spain national team
YearAppsGoals
201030
201140
201230
201340
Total140

Honours[edit source | editbeta]

Barcelona[edit source | editbeta]

Valdés celebrating with Barcelonateammates after winning the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup.

Barcelona[edit source | editbeta]

Spain[edit source | editbeta]

Individual[edit source | editbeta]

Decorations[edit source | editbeta]

Personal life[edit source | editbeta]

Valdés has a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Yolanda Cardona. In 20 August 2009 Cardona gave birth to the couple's first child, son Dylan Valdés Cardona in Barcelona. His second child, Kai Valdés Cardona was born on 16 November 2012.

See also[edit source | editbeta]

References[edit source | editbeta]

  1. ^ [1] Público; 25 February 12; Accessed 25 February 2012(Spanish)
  2. ^ "The long shadow of Zamora"FIFA. 13 September 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  3. ^ /futbol/temporada07-08/11/n071107102115.html "Valdés breaks European unbeaten record". FC Barcelona. 7 November 2007. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  4. ^ "Barça clinch La Liga league title"BBC Sport. 16 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  5. ^ [2] Público; 14 February 13; Accessed 14 February 2013(Spanish)
  6. ^ "Victor Valdes 'very proud' to equal Andoni Zubizarreta's record as goalkeeper with most Barcelona appearances".Goal.com. 30 August 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  7. ^ "Barcelona Goalkeeper Victor Valdes Says He Won’t Renew Contract". Bloomberg. 31 May 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  8. ^ Juan Ávila (16 de agosto de 2005). "Reina y Valdés cruzan sus caminos"ABC.
  9. ^ "Spain omit Marcos Senna from 2010 World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  10. ^ "Valdés debuts with Spain vs Korea Republic"Marca. 3 June 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
  11. ^ Official site statistics
  12. ^ Transfermarkt player statistics
  13. ^ Historical issues of Mundo Deportivo
  14. ^ Statistical data
  15. ^ Includes other competitive competitions, including theSupercopa de EspañaUEFA Super CupFIFA Club World Cup
  16. ^ Including the 2002 Segunda División B play-offs (6 caps)
  17. ^ "Víctor Valdés". National Football Teams. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  18. ^ "Royal Order of Sporting Merit 2011".

External links[edit source | editbeta]


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