1 - Victor Valdes

[TornAndFrayed]

VV isn't without controversy. His very departure was controversial. It seems like he has an awkward personality (even his friend iniesta hinted at this -years ago, irrc).
He left for a number of reasons, certainly not just "pressure". Mostly it was about status & money and being in the shade of casillas. As if casillas could be compared to valdes, when we had puyol & Xavi while RM had... only Casillas. I never bought his claim that he just wanted to play in a different league either (how different can it be for a goalkeeper ? Not enough)

Which leaves us with money (hilarious twists of fate in this regard) and status (would've captained the treble winning team).
I admit, watching barça since late 2008, Valdes was always the constant weaker link and I also personally never liked him much. I don't feel that sorry for him and if you take a step back his string of terrible decisions is actually funny. But of course any criticism of former glories isn't well received, i'm cool with that.

 

[Stric]

Well put, TaF.

 

[goope]

It seems like he has an awkward personality (even his friend iniesta hinted at this -years ago, irrc).
.

I believe you, still I'd appreciate source or a summary of what Iniesta said.

 

[TornAndFrayed]

It was a really long time ago goope so you are as likely to find it as i am. I tried quickly but didn't find anything substantial. I don't speak spanish or catalan either, which doesn't help

 

[goope]

It was a really long time ago goope so you are as likely to find it as i am. I tried quickly but didn't find anything substantial. I don't speak spanish or catalan either, which doesn't help

I don't need the exact quotation, can you just tell me what Iniesta said?

 

[TornAndFrayed]

As i remember it, iniesta was recalling his arrival in the first team, and how valdes helped him settle and stuff, and how they bonded, one newcomer and another special character, something like that. But i'm sure iniesta has described his first years numerous times and i can't be more accurate than that.

 

[goope]

As i remember it, iniesta was recalling his arrival in the first team, and how valdes helped him settle and stuff, and how they bonded, one newcomer and another special character, something like that. But i'm sure iniesta has described his first years numerous times and i can't be more accurate than that.

It seems like Victor Valdes has an awkward personality (even his friend iniesta hinted at this -years ago, irrc).

I know about that very well. Though I never thought that these information would lead someone to attest Valdes of being awkward.
That's why I asked because I thought you have some more information. I agree with the rest you said but I don't understand how the Iniesta comments lead you to the conclusion that Valdes is awkward.

 

[TornAndFrayed]

it was pure speculation on my part based on some comments i only half remember. If it wasn't clear then it is now
But the part you should have bolded was the "special character" thing. But yea it's not a serious argument at all.
Of course my point isn't to bash VV for free, it's just that as we've all seen his fall from grace couldn't be more melodramatic

 

[Falcao]

Valdes refusing to play in the reserves can't really be defended.

 

[barcanuck]

VV isn't without controversy. His very departure was controversial. It seems like he has an awkward personality (even his friend iniesta hinted at this -years ago, irrc).
He left for a number of reasons, certainly not just "pressure". Mostly it was about status & money and being in the shade of casillas. As if casillas could be compared to valdes, when we had puyol & Xavi while RM had... only Casillas. I never bought his claim that he just wanted to play in a different league either (how different can it be for a goalkeeper ? Not enough)

Which leaves us with money (hilarious twists of fate in this regard) and status (would've captained the treble winning team).
I admit, watching barça since late 2008, Valdes was always the constant weaker link and I also personally never liked him much. I don't feel that sorry for him and if you take a step back his string of terrible decisions is actually funny. But of course any criticism of former glories isn't well received, i'm cool with that.

Well said, lots of demons and imperfections with old VV. When he was ON he was one of the best, but sometimes he would make us suffer. Hope he pays off his gambling debts soon!

 

[Egert]

What would you change in your life?

If I returned back to birth, I would not be a goalkeeper, they made me believe that I had talent, but it isn't an easy path and I have not been repaid for all of the years of suffering. I have had many days where I don't want to be here, I play because they convinced me to at a young age, I have accepted this path with discipline, but I have gone through lots of tough times.

The worst thing in your life?

Footballers live a surreal life, they have given us everything and my injury made me live a real life while I lived in Augsburg and went two times a day to the physio on the tram. I don't like the fame, one day I will turn off the light and I believe it will be difficult to find myself.

What do you admire of Guardiola?

I was lucky to have various seasons with him. Apart from being our teacher, it was the communication or the form of adapting yourself when he had to say something in the dressing room. This is the hardest part of being a manager, to adapt your pride and how you talk to all of the egos.

Like Messi?

Messi does unimaginable things and takes a lot of pressure, he is an inhuman talent. He has always been at a higher level than I have been used to seeing. He won't have a limit until he wants to have one.

Did you disapprove of any moment in your life?

I didn't like the moments where I was kept on the periphery and disappointed people who hoped for more [from me]. Definitely the day that I said goodbye to Barça, due to the treatment that I was receiving and my character, it was not what I wanted. I turned away and went, with the people surely expecting much more of me.

 

[serghei]

If I returned back to birth, I would not be a goalkeeper, they made me believe that I had talent, but it isn't an easy path and I have not been repaid for all of the years of suffering.

Did he really say that he hasn't been repaid for all the years of suffering? Oh my god, sometimes footballers are so disconnected from the real world. They live in their little bubble.

 

[Barcaman]

Did he really say that he hasn't been repaid for all the years of suffering? Oh my god, sometimes footballers are so disconnected from the real world. They live in their little bubble.

Noticed that too. Pathetic thing to say. He should consider how an average Joe lives. But yeah, he knows all about it because he travelled by tram few times in Augsburg.

 

[Flavia]

That's just a part of the interview he gave, that quote is a bit out of context.

The full interview was translated here: https://twitter.com/DianaKristinne/status/629690525939961859/photo/1

5 parts in total.

 

[Alik]

Some sad quotes.