Though the club sits just one point back of table-leading Atletico Madrid, La Liga giant Barcelona was hit hard in the injury department this weekend when 32-year-old goalie and Spanish National team star Víctor Valdés went down with a significant knee injury. During Barca’s recent 3-0 victory over Spanish Primera League rival Celta Vigo, the veteran keeper tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, sending him to the ground in a high level of pain. While news that Monday morning’s surgery to repair the damage was successful certainly came as a positive in Spain, reports that Valdés -- who joined the Spanish National team in 2010 -- will miss the next seven months, will not sit well at Camp Nou and abroad.
“The Barça keeper has been operated on by doctors Ulrich Boenisch and Ricard Pruna in Augsburg (Germany) for the anterior cruciate ligament tear he suffered last week,” the club said in a statement posted on its website. “The knee’s internal cartilage has been sewn up and the operation was concluded successfully. It was carried out with a suture in the internal meniscus of his right knee and the procedure was completed in a satisfactory way. Valdés will be out of action for approximately seven months.”
In 26 La Liga games this season Valdés has been strong. Registering 12 clean and 69 total saves, the L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain native has been a major reason for Barcelona’s success in the competitive Spanish league. A member of the Catalan club since the 2002-2003 season, Valdés serves as a key component in the club’s consistent success in league play. Along with helping the team claim UEFA Champions League titles in 2006, 2009 and 2011, Víctor Valdés has also guided Barca to league championships in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011 and last season.
With two Copa del Rey championships on his resume and over 530 matches played as well, it’s no secret that Valdés will be missed by his side, especially since only seven league matches remain in the chase for the top spot.
2013-2014 Spanish Primera Division Top 4
Atletico Madrid 76 points
Barcelona 75 points
Real Madrid 73 points
Athletic Bilbao 56 points
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