Victor Valdes is a former professional goalkeeper from Spain. He played for Barcelona, Manchester United, and Middlesbrough. He was awarded the Zamora Trophy five times and was named the La Liga Best Goalkeeper twice.
Player Profile, Personal Life, and Youth Career
Víctor Valdés Arribas was born on January 14, 1982 in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain. He stands 183 cm tall. Valdés has two brothers and in 2017, he married Yolanda Cardona. They have three kids together.
Valdés started his youth career playing for the Barcelona youth team in 1992. He later switched over to Tenerife and was with them from 1992 to 1995. He re-joined the Barcelona system in 1995 and he stayed with them through to 2000.
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Height / weight | 1.83 m / 78 kg |
| Born | 14 Jan 1982 |
| Nationality |
Spain
|
| Nickname | Victor |
| Number | 26 |
| Team History | |
Boro
|
2016 - 2017 |
Standard Liege
|
2016 (loan) |
Man Utd
|
2014 - 2016 |
Barcelona
|
2002 - 2014 |
| FC Barcelona B | 2000 - 2003 |
| FC Barcelona C | 2000 |
Professional Career
He turned pro in 2000 and signed with Barcelona C. After appearing 16 times for the C team, he was promoted to play for Barcelona B. He played with them from 2000 to 2003, appearing in 71 matches. In 2002, he began playing for the main team. From then until 2014, he appeared 387 times for them.
In his career with Barcelona, he was awarded the Zamora Trophy in the 2004–05, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, and 2011–12 seasons. He was also named the La Liga Best Goalkeeper in 2009–10 and 2010–11.
In 2015, he signed with Manchester United. United later loaned him to Standard Liege. From 2016 to 2017, he played for Middlesbrough.
He retired in 2017. From 2018-2019, coached the Moratalaz youth team. In 2019, he coached the Barcelona youth team, and from 2020 to 2021, he managed Horta.
Career Highlights
Barcelona
- La Liga - 2004–05, 2005–06,2008–09,2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13
- Copa del Rey - 2008–09, 2011–12
- Supercopa de España - 2005,2006,2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
- UEFA Champions League -2005–06,2008–09, 2010–11
- UEFA Super Cup - 2009, 2011
- FIFA Club World Cup - 2009, 2011
Standard Liège
- Belgian Cup - 2015–16
Spain
- FIFA World Cup - 2010
- UEFA European Championship - 2012
Individual
- 2004–05, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11,2011–12 - Zamora Trophy
- 2009–10, 2010–11 - La Liga BestGoalkeeper
- 2010–11 - ESM Team of the Year
- 2013 - FIFA FIFPro World XI 4th team
October 2016 - Middlesbrough Playerof the Month
2011 - Gold Medal of the Royal Orderof Sporting Merit
- International Career
- 2000–2001 - Spain U18
- 2001 - Spain U19
- 2001 - Spain U20
- 2002–2003 - Spain U21
- 2010–2014 - Spain
- 2001–2014 - Catalonia
Managerial Career
- 2018–2019 - Moratalaz (youth)
- 2019 - Barcelona (youth)
- 2020–2021 – Horta
