Victor Valdes Announces Retirement
REUTERS/Albert Gea
Former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has officially announced his retirement from professional football.
After an illustrious career in Spain and England, the Spaniard has finally decided to hang up his gloves soon after his departure from Middlesbrough. The World Cup winner has reportedly traded his career as a footballer in order to focus on his new TV production company, with bases in Abu Dhabi, London and Barcelona.
Valdes had been a great servant to the Catalans since making his debut in 2002, helping them secure multiple Champions League titles and a treble in 2009, when Barca lifted the La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey trophies, making 535 appearances along the way.
Furthermore, the talented shot-stopper was seen rewriting the club’s history when he set the record for not conceding a goal in a European competition in 2007, as he maintained a clean sheet for 466 minutes.
Unfortunately, following an injury, the former Spanish international soon switched to United back in 2014. However, the Premier League giants only offered him a contract in 2015, after he recovered from his injury.
Moreover, he was brought in as a backup option for David De Gea, and consequently, had to watch most of the games from the bench. And when given the chance, he still failed to impress at Old Trafford under Louis van Gaal.
The former Barcelona man signed for Middlesbrough following his silent spell in Manchester in 2016 on a free transfer under a 2-year contract, and left the club following its relegation, after making 28 appearances.
Though the 35-year-old had lows in his goalkeeping career, he still managed to end his run with 20 titles under his belt, alongside his 2010 World Cup trophy and 2012 Euro Cup triumph for Spain, making 20 appearances on the way.
Written by Ashish Sreejith 
Have had two addictions in life- playing football and watching football. Usually described as introverted but not when it comes to speaking and writing about the beautiful game of football.
