He made his debut in the first game of the 2002/03 season at home to Atlético Madrid, but it was not until the following season, 2003/04, that he became the regular first choice stopper. He has now played for eight seasons in one of the most hotly disputed positions in the competition.

Best record

Valdés has conceded 16 goals in 32 games, i.e. an average of 0.5 goals a game. These stats are his best yet. In the first season he won the Zamora, 2004/05, his coefficient was 0.71. In 2009, it was 0.89 and last year he ended with 0.63.

Close to league record

The goal conceded away to Levante prevented Valdés from reaching the all-time best record in the competition, which is still held by Deportivo’s Paco Liaño, who finished the 1993/94 season conceding 0.47 goals a game, while if Valdés keeps clean sheet against Malaga, he’ll have 0.48. Instead it would be the second best record ever.

Beating a legend

His fourth title means Víctor Valdés has now beaten the legendary Ricardo Zamora, after whom the trophy is named, who won it three times in 1929, 1932 and 1933. But he has not yet caught Barcelona’s keeper in the 50s and 60s, Antoni Ramallets, who won the Zamora a record five times.