Why Victor Valdes is in the form of his life

Victor Valdes of Barcelona

As the precocious James Forrest perfectly took down the ball just inside the crowded penalty box, to strike it on the volley with a conviction that resonated all through Celtic’s impressive showing last night against Barcelona, there was probably one driving thought that went through his mind – Goal! The winger’s strike was one worthy of handing a resurgent Celtic the lead last night, and would probably have decided the match had it followed the laws of physics and exploded into the roof of the net.

What the youngster, or indeed any of the Celts watching with bated breath inside Celtic Park did not count on, were the extended arms of Victor Valdes. In one fluid motion, the Barcelona keeper flung himself to his right to deny Celtic a fantastic opener. Only to promptly get back up again, the adrenaline coursing through his veins as he rallied his troops, bellowing at them to step it up a notch.

A picture of confidence and authority, the man has been in inspired form since the new season began. So much so that his new manager has been singing his praises to anyone who cares to listen. Clearly, Martino would grab at the opportunity to keep Valdes in Barcelona’s scheme of things beyond the current season, even if the keeper himself has already made it clear that he has every intention of leaving. I, for one, wouldn’t hold my breath on things turning out any other way.

For someone who is a Blaugrana boy through and through, Valdes has had to deal with far more than most. In fact, to a rank outsider, one not well versed in Barcelona’s unique culture, a glance at Valdes’ professional career may lead him to think that the fans consider him to be a real mensch, akin to San Iker’s iconic status in Madrid. Nothing would be further from the truth.

To this rank outsider, it would seem that these are two men entrusted with the toughest job in football, for arguably the two biggest teams in the world today. Local boys who were fortunate enough to grow into their respective teams without having to endure the customary ritual of having to go out on loan and proving themselves worthy. A trust that they have repaid in kind, it would seem.

And yet, despite coming up along with a reinvented Xavi and a prodigal Iniesta (courtesy the short and under-appreciated reign of Radomir Anti?), Valdes has never enjoyed even a fraction of the support and adulation, nay, adoration, that the midfield duo commands among the faithful. And before someone says that it is hardly fair to compare anybody with the sparkling feet of “Xaviesta”, I would like to say two words – San Iker.

Cristiano Ronaldo may be the best player at Real Madrid by quite a stretch, but he doesn’t even hold up a candle to Iker Casillas when it comes to the fans. And this is a benched Iker Casillas, mind you. One who has not only been displaced by an imperious Diego Lopez in Real’s La Liga challenge, but a man who also got injured in the opening minutes of a rare start in a recent Champions League fixture; supposedly his domain now that Carlo Ancelotti has fallen prey to the black magic Jose Mourinho performed in his office before leaving in the summer.

Victor Valdes – In top form

What then, of Victor Valdes? He is a victim of the very spirit that runs through Barcelona, through every man who calls himself a Culé first, and a Catalan next. This is a tribe that considers its football team to be above anything else, especially the players. And you only have to look at the players themselves to see that.

Lionel Messi may just be the greatest player to have played this beautiful game of ours; a World Cup crown and future generations will utter his name with the kind of reverence reserved for the untouchable duo of Pele and Maradona. But you will not hear him give a speech, when he’s off collecting yet another personal award, without paying tribute to his partners-in-crime, à la the two-headed monster we know and love as Xaviesta.

Puyol bleeds for the team with every bludgeoning tackle, while Spain’s own record goal scorer David Villa took up an unfamiliar position on the left flank without any complaint. Ronaldinho’s infectious smile and pure joy out on the pitch made it seem like he would rather be out there than anywhere else in the world. And even his sale was greeted with acceptance and enthusiasm, courtesy the man who was responsible for the major upheaval, Pep Guardiola; a son of the club more than any other.

Valdes, who has an air of self-righteousness and cockiness about him, has never really found acceptance. What the people do not seem to comprehend is that the cockiness is as much a feature of his persona as anything else; something that is sorely needed to handle the loneliest job on the pitch. Wojciech Szcz?sny wouldn’t be half the keeper he is today if it wasn’t for his chutzpah, even if the loss of that impudence can be disastrous, as we saw with the Arsenal shot-stopper last season.

Valdes’ gaffe on the ball as he tried to dribble past Angel Di Maria in that unforgettable Copa Del Rey clash was the consequence of a horrendous first touch, although admittedly not the first time he has made such an error. But in a team that plays like Barcelona do, the goalkeeper’s distribution holds even more significance. Guardiola always encouraged him to occasionally play the role of the Libero, wherein he was primarily tasked with clearing up the danger, often before it even presented itself, or even instigate attacks on his own. Attempts at the same were always likely to produce howlers, as whoever takes up his place in between the sticks at the Camp Nou is likely to find out.

The goal keeper thrives on his confidence and sass; and in a role that will tolerate no weakness, it is vital to your survival. Though his may be the first name on the team sheet, it is also the one that is first derided. He cannot rely on anyone else to bail him out, and therein lays the rub.

For even if he constantly dreads making the troll highlight reel, he will always be drawn to the possibility that in that moment, he could very well save his team with a save that defies superlatives. He would not have it any other way; he doesn’t want to change anything about his role in being the last line of defense.

What is so refreshing about Valdes this season is that he has finally freed himself from the clutches of an unforgiving Barcelona support. In deciding to leave the Camp Nou, he has decided to go out in a blaze of glory; fist-pumping acrobatics in tow and all. He now prowls around his area like a caged animal, waiting to tear into anyone who dares to approach. It is a sight the Blaugranes ought not to get too used to. They will soon have a fresh face that they can taunt for their amusement.