Víctor Valdés

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Valdés and the second or maternal family name is Arribas.
Víctor Valdés

Valdés in 2010
Personal information
Full name Víctor Valdés Arribas[1]
Date of birth (1982-01-14) 14 January 1982
Place of birth L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Middlesbrough
Number 26
Youth career
1992 Barcelona
1992–1995 Tenerife
1995–2000 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000 Barcelona C 16 (0)
2000–2003 Barcelona B 77 (0)
2002–2014 Barcelona 387 (0)
2015–2016 Manchester United 2 (0)
2016 → Standard Liège (loan) 5 (0)
2016– Middlesbrough 10 (0)
National team
2000–2001 Spain U18 11 (0)
2001 Spain U19 3 (0)
2001 Spain U20 1 (0)
2002–2003 Spain U21 11 (0)
2010–2014 Spain 20 (0)
2001–2014 Catalonia 12 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20 November 2016.


Víctor Valdés Arribas (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈbiktoɾ βalˈdes aˈriβas]; born 14 January 1982) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Middlesbrough.

He spent most of his professional career with Barcelona in La Liga, and is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the club's history, having appeared in 535 official games for the club and won 21 major titles, notably six La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League championships. Valdés also 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. After leaving Barcelona at the end of his contract in July 2014, he joined Manchester United in January 2015. He played rarely at United, and after a brief loan at Standard Liège, he moved on to Middlesbrough.

Valdés made his full international debut in 2010 and earned 20 international caps. He was part of the Spanish squads which won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012.

Early career

Born in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Valdés started his career with FC Barcelona's youth team when he joined from Peña Cinco Copas on 1 July 1992. That September, he moved with his family to Tenerife and had to leave the club, but returned three years later. After returning, he made quick progress through the youth teams.

Club career

Barcelona

Valdés made his first team debut against Legia Warszawa in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League on 14 August 2002.[2] The early part of the 2002–03 season saw Valdés play deputy to Argentine international Roberto Bonano, but the arrival of Radomir Antić as the new manager in January 2003 saw regular first-team opportunities for Valdés.

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 first league title in six years. He also won the Zamora Trophy as the best goalkeeper in Spain that season.

In the 2005–06 season, Valdés helped Barça to the European Double. He played a big part in Barça's 2005–06 UEFA Champions League title and in the final against Arsenal, he denied Thierry 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 Cañizares and the winner, José Manuel Pinto.

Valdés playing for Barcelona during a match against Mallorca in 2007

On 17 June 2007, the last round of La Liga, Valdés matched a goalkeeping record held by former Barcelona goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta by starting, and never being substituted, in all 38 matches of the La Liga season.[3]

"For me, Valdes is the best in the world. When Barça need calm, he transmits that. He also has great capacity and handling."

Former Paraguay international goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert, February 2012[4]

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.[5] Valdés was beaten twice by Olympique Lyonnais captain Juninho Pernambucano through a 45-yard free kick and a late penalty kick at the Stade de Gerland, ending his streak.[6] 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 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.

Valdés playing for Barcelona in 2012

On 16 May 2010, Valdés won his fourth title as Barcelona clinched a second successive Spanish league title with Pep Guardiola's side, ending the season with 99 points.[7]

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.[8]

"For me, the three best goalkeepers in the world are Casillas, Buffon, and Valdes."

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Bodo Illgner, February 2013[9]

In 2012, Valdés made a goalkeeping error against Real Madrid in the Supercopa de España that culminated in Ángel Di María scoring a decisive goal and narrowing down Barcelona's two-goal advantage. Real Madrid went on to win the Super Cup in the second leg at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.

On 1 May 2013, in a 3–0 Champions League semi-final loss to FC Bayern Munich at Camp Nou, Valdés made his 100th appearance in the competition, becoming the 17th player to do so.[10] Later that month, Valdés announced that he would not renew his Barcelona contract, which was due to expire at the end of the 2013–14 season. He cited the pressure of representing the club and stated that he had declared his wish to leave early enough for the club to find a replacement.[11]

On 26 March 2014, in a 3–0 victory against Celta de Vigo, Valdés tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the 22nd minute of the match and was substituted off, and was ruled out for the rest of the season, ending his Barcelona career and ruling him out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[12]

Manchester United

On 23 October 2014, Manchester United offered Valdés the chance to complete his rehabilitation from a knee injury and to work his way back to fitness with the club.[13] He was offered a contract by the club in January 2015,[14] signing an 18-month deal, with the option of a further year on 8 January, as backup for compatriot David de Gea.[15] Valdés played his first match since his knee injury on 26 January, featuring for United's Under-21 team in a 2–1 home win over Liverpool. Before the game, he gave a team talk based on the teachings of his former manager Guardiola.[16] He made his first-team debut on 17 May against Arsenal at Old Trafford, replacing the injured De Gea for the final 16 minutes and conceding an own goal by Tyler Blackett for a 1–1 draw.[17] A week later he made his first start for the team in their last game of the season away to Hull City, keeping a clean sheet in a goalless draw which relegated the opponents.[18]

On 15 July 2015, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal announced that Valdés had been placed on the transfer list after it was claimed he had refused to play in a reserve game.[19] The following month, he was not given a squad number for the upcoming season.[20] A transfer to Turkey's Beşiktaş fell through as personal terms could not be agreed.[21] Despite subsequently being named in Manchester United's Premier League squad,[22] reports confirmed Valdés was only named to conform to Premier League rules and not being offered a way back.[23][24][25]

Loan to Standard Liège

Wikinews has related news: Víctor Valdés to play in Belgian Pro League; Manchester United loans Valdés to Standard Liège until season end

On 23 January 2016, Manchester United announced that Valdés would be moving to Belgian club Standard Liège on a six-month loan deal.[26] He made his debut a week later in a 2–0 win at OH Leuven in the Belgian Pro League.[27] On 20 March, Valdés won the 2016 Belgian Cup Final, beating Club Brugge 2–1.[28] His loan spell was cut short on 29 April after the club decided to allow more youth players the opportunity to play in games at the end of the season.[29]

Middlesbrough

On 7 July 2016, Valdés signed a two-year deal on a free transfer at Premier League newcomers Middlesbrough, managed by compatriot Aitor Karanka.[30]

International career

Valdés at UEFA Euro 2012

On 16 August 2005, Valdés was called up for a friendly game against Uruguay, but did not take the field.[31] On 20 May 2010, he was included in Spain's final 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa as the third-choice goalkeeper behind Iker Casillas and Pepe Reina, wearing the number 12 shirt.[32]

On 3 June 2010, Valdés earned his first cap, starting in a friendly match between Spain and South Korea at Tivoli-Neu in Innsbruck, Austria.[33] Valdés was part of the Spanish squads that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012, despite not playing in either tournament.

He was also in the Spanish squad which reached the final of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. His sole appearance in a major tournament came in their last group game, keeping a clean sheet in a 3–0 win over Nigeria at the Estádio Castelão in Fortaleza.[34]

Personal life

Valdés was born to José Manuel Valdés and Águeda Arribas and has two brothers, Ricardo and Álvaro. He is in a long-term relationship with Colombian model, Yolanda Cardona. The couple have two sons, Dylan and Kai, and a daughter, Vera.[35]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 20 November 2016.[36][37][38]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other[39] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Barcelona B 2000–01 140————140
2001–02[40] 430————430
2002–03 200————200
Total 770————770
Barcelona 2002–03 14000—60—200
2003–04 33060—50—440
2004–05 35000—80—430
2005–06 35000—12020490
2006–07 38000—8040500
2007–08 35060—110—520
2008–09 35000—140—490
2009–10 38000—12050550
2010–11 32000—11010440
2011–12 35000—11050510
2012–13 31000—11020440
2013–14 26000—6020340
Total 3870120—11502105350
Manchester United 2014–15 2000———20
2015–16 000000——00
Total 2000———20
Standard Liège (loan) 2015–16 5020——1080
Total 5020——1080
Middlesbrough 2016–17 10000——00100
Total 10000——00100
Career totals 48101300011502206320

International

Spain senior team[41]
YearAppsGoals
201030
201140
201230
201390
201410
Total200

Honours

Club

Valdés celebrating with Barcelona team-mates after winning the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup
Barcelona[42]
Standard Liège

International

Spain[44]

Individual

Decorations

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 4 June 2010. p. 29. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  2. ↑ "A decade on from Víctor Valdés' debut". FC Barcelona. 14 August 2012.
  3. ↑ "The long shadow of Zamora". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 13 September 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  4. ↑ Público; 25 February 12; Accessed 25 February 2012 (Spanish)
  5. ↑ "Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes says the best atmosphere he's ever played in was at Ibrox.. and it's noisier than Parkhead". Daily Record. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  6. ↑ "Valdés breaks European unbeaten record". FC Barcelona. 7 November 2007. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  7. ↑ "Barça clinch La Liga league title". BBC Sport. 16 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  8. ↑ "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.
  9. ↑ Público; 14 February 13; Accessed 14 February 2013 (Spanish)
  10. ↑ "Valdés brings up century against Bayern". UEFA. 1 May 2013.
  11. ↑ "Barcelona Goalkeeper Victor Valdes Says He Won't Renew Contract". Bloomberg. 31 May 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  12. ↑ "Victor Valdes: Spain goalkeeper suffers serious knee injury". BBC Sport. 28 March 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  13. ↑ "Victor Valdes: Ex-Barcelona goalkeeper to train with Man Utd". BBC Sport. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  14. ↑ Stone, Simon (7 January 2015). "Victor Valdes: Man Utd to sign former Barcelona goalkeeper". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  15. ↑ "Victor Valdes: Man Utd sign former Barcelona goalkeeper". BBC Sport. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  16. ↑ Stone, Simon (27 January 2015). "Victor Valdes delivers 'brilliant' speech before Man Utd debut". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  17. ↑ McNulty, Phil (17 May 2015). "Man Utd 1–1 Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  18. ↑ Stone, Simon (24 May 2015). "Hull 0–0 Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  19. ↑ "Man Utd: Victor Valdes for sale - Louis van Gaal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  20. ↑ Amako, Uche (7 August 2015). "Victor Valdes edges closer to Manchester United exit after shirt snub". Daily Express. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  21. ↑ "Victor Valdes: Manchester United keeper's Besiktas move off". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 30 August 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  22. ↑ Sport (4 September 2015). "Victor Valdes named in Manchester United league squad". Sport.
  23. ↑ Stuart Mathieson (4 September 2015). "Manchester United: No way back for Victor Valdes". men.
  24. ↑ Stuart Mathieson (6 September 2015). "Victor Valdes NOT in Manchester United plans despite selection in Premier League squad". mirror.
  25. ↑ "Victor Valdes 'not back in Louis van Gaal's plans' despite being named in Manchester United Premier League squad". The Independent.
  26. ↑ "Loan move agreed for Victor Valdes".
  27. ↑ Luckhurst, Samuel (31 January 2016). "Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes aims parting shot at Van Gaal". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  28. ↑ "Late header hands Standard victory in Belgian Cup final". Mail Online. 20 March 2016.
  29. ↑ "Ioannis Maniatis and Victor Valdes". standard.be. Royal Standard de Liège. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  30. ↑ "Boro Sign Barcelona Legend Victor Valdés". 7 July 2016.
  31. ↑ Ávila, Juan (16 August 2005). "Reina y Valdés cruzan sus caminos" [The paths of Reina and Valdés cross] (in Spanish). ABC.
  32. ↑ "Spain omit Marcos Senna from 2010 World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  33. ↑ "Valdés debuts with Spain vs Korea Republic". Marca. 3 June 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
  34. ↑ Magowan, Alistair (23 June 2013). "Nigeria 0-3 Spain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  35. ↑ "Víctor Valdés becomes a father for a third time". fcbarcelona.com. FC Barcelona. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  36. ↑ "All Baras football".
  37. ↑ "La hemeroteca de Mundo Deportivo".
  38. ↑ "Víctor Valdés, Víctor Valdés Arribas - Futbolista".
  39. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup
  40. ↑ Including the 2002 Segunda División B play-offs (6 caps)
  41. ↑ "Víctor Valdés". National Football Teams. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  42. ↑ "Manchester United sign Víctor Valdés". Manutd.com. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  43. ↑ "Standard redt seizoen met bekerwinst" [Standard saves season with Cup victory]. sporza.be. 20 March 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  44. ↑ "Victor Valdes". Soccerway. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  45. ↑ "Royal Order of Sporting Merit 2011".

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