Why Victor Valdes is in the form of his life

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.