Victor Valdés' Barcelona Career Over After He Suffers Knee Injury (PICTURES)
Valdés Out Of World Cup As Barça Career Ends In Agony (PICTURES)
The Huffington Post UK
|
Victor Valdés has played his final game for Barcelona and will miss this summer's World Cup after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in their 3-0 win over Celta Vigo on Wednesday night.
The 32-year-old goalkeeper, who has long planned to leave the Camp Nou at the end of his contract in June, fell awkwardly while saving a free-kick from Fabián Orellana in the 22nd minute of the match, and could be seen crying as he left the pitch on a cart.
Open Image Modal
Valdés was carried off on a stretcher as Barça won 3-0 against Celta
"Victor Valdés suffered an ACL tear on 22 minutes after saving a free-kick," Barça confirmed. "The club's medical services confirm that he will need surgery."
Orellana's free-kick appeared to catch Valdés wrong-footed, and although he was able to make the stop he had to dive forward to gather the rebound, and it was then he suffered the injury.
Victor Valdés
FC Barcelona v RC Celta de Vigo - La Liga(01 of09)
Open Image Modal
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 26: Victor Valdes of FC Barcelona lays injured during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RC Celta de Vigo at Camp Nou on March 26, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FC Barcelona v RC Celta de Vigo - La Liga(02 of09)
Open Image Modal
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 26: Victor Valdes of FC Barcelona lays injured during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RC Celta de Vigo at Camp Nou on March 26, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FC Barcelona v RC Celta de Vigo - La Liga(03 of09)
Open Image Modal
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 26: Victor Valdes of FC Barcelona lays injured during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RC Celta de Vigo at Camp Nou on March 26, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-BARCELONA-CELTA(04 of09)
Open Image Modal
Barcelona's goalkeeper Victor Valdes lies on a stretcher after being injured during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs RC Celta de Vigo at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO / LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-BARCELONA-CELTA(05 of09)
Open Image Modal
Barcelona's goalkeeper Victor Valdes (C) reacts after being injured during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs RC Celta de Vigo at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FC Barcelona v RC Celta de Vigo - La Liga(06 of09)
Open Image Modal
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 26: Victor Valdes of FC Barcelona lays injured during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RC Celta de Vigo at Camp Nou on March 26, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FC Barcelona v RC Celta de Vigo - La Liga(07 of09)
Open Image Modal
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 26: Victor Valdes of FC Barcelona lays injured during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RC Celta de Vigo at Camp Nou on March 26, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FC Barcelona v RC Celta de Vigo - La Liga(08 of09)
Open Image Modal
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 26: Victor Valdes of FC Barcelona lays injured during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RC Celta de Vigo at Camp Nou on March 26, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-BARCELONA-CELTA(09 of09)
Open Image Modal
Barcelona's goalkeeper Victor Valdes leaves the pitch on a stretcher after being injured during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs RC Celta de Vigo at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
He immediately called for help and was replaced by Sergio Pinto, who went on to make a fine double save in Barca's win.
The injury leaves an immediate question mark over Valdés's future as it will complicate any move to a new club this summer, while it will come as a blow to Vicente Del Bosque as he finalises his World Cup plans.
Barça boss Gerardo Martino bemoaned the news, telling his media conference: "It's a very hard blow. But this team has lived blow to blow for a long time and we will move forward."