Uncapped solid Spanish keeper who is only prevented full international honours by incredible competition from Casillas et al...
A product of Barça’s academy, the vocal Catalan hails from Hospitalet, the working class barrio which borders the Camp Nou. After making his B team debut as an 18-year-old in 2000, Valdes broke into the first team in the 2002-03 season under Radomir Antic.
Though there have been many challengers to his No.1 position, Valdes has been a virtual ever-present ever since. Despite his youth, Valdes is one of the most experienced keepers in Spain and made his 250th first team appearance in April 2008.
Valdes won the Zamora trophy for Spain’s best goalkeeper in 2004-05 when Barça won the league. He played a key role in Barça winning the European Cup the following season, twice denying Arsenal’s Thierry Henry in the final. And yet the vociferous and brave Valdes has never been capped by Spain.