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Victor Valdes pays tribute to Louis van Gaal for building Barça legacy Victor Valdés pays tribute to Louis van Gaal for building Barça legacy
(about 1 hour later)
Victor Valdes, the Barcelona goalkeeper, has thanked Louis van Gaal for taking a "gamble" on him when the Dutchman, who is close to being announced as Manchester United manager, was in charge at the Camp Nou. Victor Valdés, the Barcelona goalkeeper, has thanked Louis van Gaal for taking a "gamble" on him when the Dutchman, who is close to being announced as Manchester United manager, was in charge at the Camp Nou.
Valdes is leaving Barcelona after coming through the club's youth system when Van Gaal was in charge from 1997-00. Valdés is leaving Barcelona after coming through the club's youth system when Van Gaal was in charge from 1997-00.
The 32-year-old has been part of a great Barca side including Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi. He said: "Thank you to Louis Van Gaal, for showing the courage necessary to gamble on a talent that only he could see. He began building this historic Barça side, which I have been privileged to be part of. My heartfelt thanks." The 32-year-old has been part of a great Barça side including Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta and Lionel Messi. He said: "Thank you to Louis van Gaal, for showing the courage necessary to gamble on a talent that only he could see. He began building this historic Barça side, which I have been privileged to be part of. My heartfelt thanks."
Valdes, who is recovering from knee injury, also thanked Van Gall's successors, Frank Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova, who is now deceased. "Thank you Frank Rijkaard, for giving me the confidence necessary, and allowing me to achieve glory, getting my hands on the European Cup in Paris. Wherever you are, I will be indebted to you for the rest of my life Mister," he said in an open letter published on Barcelona's website. Valdés, who is recovering from a knee injury, also thanked Van Gaal's successors, Frank Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova, who died in April. "Thank you Frank Rijkaard, for giving me the confidence necessary, and allowing me to achieve glory, getting my hands on the European Cup in Paris. Wherever you are, I will be indebted to you for the rest of my life Mister," he said in an open letter published on Barcelona's website.
"Thank you Pep, for having opened the door to playing a game that was unknown to me, for guiding me along the road where one has to keep looking for success, and we did it together, right? We'll always have that Mister, and believe me, it will be eternal!"Thank you Pep, for having opened the door to playing a game that was unknown to me, for guiding me along the road where one has to keep looking for success, and we did it together, right? We'll always have that Mister, and believe me, it will be eternal!
"Thank you Tito! Wherever you are, I thank you for having taught us not only the way to keep winning as a team, but also the strength and character needed to face life.""Thank you Tito! Wherever you are, I thank you for having taught us not only the way to keep winning as a team, but also the strength and character needed to face life."