Victor Valdés is one of those players that supporters always hold especially close to their hearts the local lad playing for his 'own' team. A true Catalan and a Barça fanatic, Valdés signed for the club in 1992 - at 10 years of age - and has worked his way through to the first team, making the goalkeeper's spot his own.
Valdés, like his counterpart in the Real Madrid team, Iker Casillas, made his way through the youth ranks at the club and was given the opportunity of first team football perhaps earlier than might have been expected. In fact, joining the first team squad for the 2002-2003 season, Valdés became a regular in his second year - keeping out the Turkish import, Rustu Recber. The following season saw Valdés pick up the Zamora Trophy - annually awarded to the goalkeeper with the best statistical record in La Liga.
In his early days, Valdés was subject to considerable media criticism. Obviously inexperienced and initially reluctant to leave his goal line or really command his defenders, many people considered him to be the weakest link of the Barcelona team. Gradually, however, he won over his critics. Internationally, he will perhaps be remembered for two fabulous saves from current team mate Thierry Henry when Barça defeated Arsenal in the Champions' league Final of 2006.
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