Valdes Bids Farewell to Barcelona

Valdes Bids Farewell to Barcelona

Victor Valdes has said an emotional goodbye in an
open letter to Catalan fans and a select group of
Barcelona icons.
The 32-year-old Spaniard announced he would leave
Camp Nou last summer but was then rocked by
anterior cruciate ligament damage in March and
needed surgery.
It is unlikely he will return to action before October-
meaning he would miss the World Cup and not
feature in a Barcelona shirt again.
Ahead of his side’s LaLiga title decider against
Atletico Madrid on Saturday, Valdes published a
letter on the Barcelona website declaring his
gratitude and frustrations over the last three
months.
He said: “The time has come for me to say goodbye
to you all. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to say
goodbye playing football, as I would have liked, but
that’s life at times, and this year has been a bit
cruel to me in this regard.
“I’ve had time to look at where I am and what I’ve
become. I can only think about the people who
helped me to get where I am today. I dedicate this
letter to them.”
Valdes, who has been tipped to join Monaco, made
535 appearances since making his debut over a
decade ago, winning six La Liga titles, three
Champions League crowns and two Spanish Cups.
Valdes paid tribute to former managers Louis van
Gaal, Frank Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola and Tito
Vilanova, who recently lost his battle with throat
cancer.
His letter continued: “Thank you to Louis van Gaal,
for showing the courage necessary to gamble on a
talent that only he could see. He began building this
historic Barca side, which I have been privileged to
be part of. My heartfelt thanks.
“Thank you Pep, for having opened the door to
playing a game that was unknown to me, for guiding
me along the road where one has to keep looking for
success, and we did it together, right?. We’ll always
have that Mister, and believe me, it will be eternal!
“Thank you Tito! Wherever you are, I thank you for
having taught us not only the way to keep winning
as a team, but also the strength and character
needed to face life.”
He finished by expressing his thanks to the
Barcelona faithful, adding: “Of course I cannot forget
the most important people, over these 12 years as a
professional, wearing this shirt, my most loyal fans.
“Those people who, whatever happened, were
always there to give me the support that a fighter
always needs, proud to be there supporting me in
the celebrations, giving your support in every game,
sending me the positive energy that I have always
felt, which kept me going all this time, because
without it, it would have been impossible to do it
alone.
“Thank you, thank you, and a thousand times, thank
you. I ask that you please don’t stop giving me that
support. Forever, FORÇA BARÇA!”
If Barca triumph in their final game of the season at
the Camp Nou, they will be crowned champions
ahead of current leaders Atletico by virtue of a better
head-to-head record. However. the Rojiblancos only
need to avoid defeat to win the League.