World football’s most thankless job was Victor Valdes’ bread and butter, cementing his legend in the dynasty that is modern Barcelona.
Building a dynasty requires immense preparation and conviction. Merely believing in your ways did not let the British coin the phrase ‘The sun never sets on our empire’. Through decades of planning, strengthening and internal turmoil emerged the superpower known in history as the British Empire and its colonies.
Stretching from the far reaches of New Zealand to Canada and beyond in the North West, this Empire was built on the most solid foundations – ocean trade. Some would even say its bedrock was the oft-ignored. Hardy sailors who carried the wit and character required to divide and rule over the people with whom they were thought to be merely trading spices amongst. These are the men who, through sheer character and valour, are able to ride the waves of change.
And just as change is the only real constant in life, some men remain steadfast and adapt. Improving their best facets and linking dynasties through nothing but their dedication to the cause and their sheer grit. Victor Valdes was one such player – a man who straddled philosophies and learned from Louis Van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard before taking his game up several notches when the next great sporting dynasty was created at FC Barcelona.