Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has expressed his concern over the injury sustained by Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes. The experienced goalkeeper sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which has effectively ended his Barcelona career. He revealed more than a year ago that he would be leaving the Catalan club at the end of the season, although he has been very silent about the destination. Even though he has never been the first choice goalkeeper for Spain, Valdes continues to remain an important part of the squad given his experience to the top of the game.
He was widely expected to be Spain’s second choice goalkeeper at the World Cup 2014, but it is now expected to be either Diego Lopez or Pepe Reina. Barcelona managed a stunning 3-0 win over Celta de Vigo during the weekend, but this match was halted for several minutes due to the injury sustained by Valdes. He landed awkwardly on the floor and scans have confirmed that he will be out for the next six months. This also ruled him out of the World Cup, in which Spain are the favourites to get the win.
As a result of this injury, both top goalkeepers – Iker Casillas being the – will not have been regular first-team players.
“Right now I’m not going to talk about possible replacements, because now is the time to bemoan Victor’s injury. It’s a setback for him, his club and for us. Now isn’t the time to talk about replacements,” said del Bosque. “It’s dreadful news. Now the important thing is for him to recover and send him a big hug. When you play games every three days, there’s no time to lament or let your head drop. We are used to coping with situations like this,” said Valdes’ club and international teammate Andres Iniesta.