Victor Valdes’ Barcelona career is almost certainly over after the goalkeeper sustained a serious knee injury against Celta Vigo on Wednesday night.
The Spaniard will need surgery after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament as he jumped to collect a loose ball and landed badly.
Valdes was taken off on a stretcher in the 23rd minute and was in great pain as he was removed from the pitch.
Barcelona’s official website released a statement saying: ‘Victor Valdes suffered an ACL tear on 22 minutes after saving a free kick from Augusto.
‘The club’s medical services confirm that he will need surgery. The keeper fell awkwardly on his right leg, forcing him to ask to be substituted.’
The goalkeeper, who joined the club at just 10 years old and made his debut in 2002, was taken to hospital as the game progressed.
Barcelona ran out 3-0 winners but their bid to win La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey has been dented by Valdes’s injury.
He will be out for several months and it is known that he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season when his contract runs out.
