My exclusive T-shirts are available here ➡https://t.co/eiuKhjNvaD pic.twitter.com/r3sBMsqYcs— Ronaldinho (@10Ronaldinho) August 21, 2017
Not sure if I'd put Valdés top of the list but he's up there among Ramallets and Zubizarreta, both highly rated by club historians. Sadurní should also be mentioned and Urruti has always been a fan favorite. All five are listed on the Legends page of the club's website. But I remember having to defend Valdés numerous times on this forum from those who felt he wasn't quality enough to be on the team. He's more than earned his legendary status. A shame the end of his career faded the way it did. Pedro Artola may not be considered a legend but he was in goal when I began following the club and so ranks high in my own personal favorites list. Artola and Urruti for me.
I deleted the top 5 discussion part of your quoted poast as I'm not here (nor experienced enough) to discuss that, but you are absolutely right that VV was often under-appreciated at Barca. When he won the Zamora many people, including many Barca fans, would point out that he did not have to stop many shots since Barca dominated possession. When he supported our high pressing, high line of defense by playing 'sweeper keeper' he'd often get criticized for taking the very risks which were asked of him by the various coaches he played under. So all his team trophies and all his Zamora trophies, and all his highlights were underestimated by many, and were considered to be the result of the luck to play behind Puyol, Xavi, Messi, Iniesta, Ronaldinho, Pique, Abidal, Busquets, Toure, Keita, Motta, Eto'o, etc., etc. etc. and frankly that is why he wanted to and decided to leave. He'd never be fairly appreciated for his importance at Barca in their success, but he'd surely be negatively judged for any failures (see Liverpool CL elimination). So why not go to a less stressful club and show he could succeed because he was in fact an excellent keeper. But then injury, still holds fast to plan to leave, signs the ManU instead of recovering at Barca, the ManU debacle with new coach (prior asshole coach to current asshole coach) not letting him play with first team or leave freely, finally one year as first choice at a PL squad which was OK at best, injuries, decided to hang them up. Sad end to a great career.
Why.. Why.. I'm so so disappointed in him! Shame on him. Former Barcelona footballer Xavi announced as Al Dana millionaire winner for June 2017 https://t.co/ogRINhzOXI #DohaBank https://t.co/4F2VKVSuq4
Mathieu, like Neymar and Alves, not a fan of Barto. Math also dumps on Fernandez (and Sport) and defends his Barca legacy / contributions: http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/09/25/59c7f81246163fb92a8b462f.html
The other Keita, Keita Balde (of La Masia not the big club) at Monaco. He was at Lazio last season and was rumored to be headed to Sevilla this summer. Instead Monaco spent some of their transfer riches from sales on him (and also on stealing our Mboula from La Masia): http://www.sport-english.com/en/new...ta-balde-helps-monaco-see-of-bordeaux-6387282 https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/30/keita-balde-monaco-kylian-mbappe-ligue-1
So is Xavi retired or what? Haven't played this season. Was surprised to find him reaching over 1000 senior games (1017).
I was wondering the same thing and looked it up this morning, when he signed for Al Sadd in Qatar it was for 3 years (through 2018) I read on Wikipedia but this makes it look like 2 years and he re-signed for one more, http://www.espnfc.com/story/3046695/xavi-hernandez-signs-contract-extension-with-al-sadd-until-2018 (and transfermarkt says same thing) either way expected to retire in 2018, and is already pursuing getting coaching training and badges. Also expected to be some kind of paid 'ambassador' of sorts for Qatar leading up to 2022 World Cup I believe. I find it hard to find any stats on Qatari league but if not playing probably an injury.
Rare Jeffren update: http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/11/16/5a0da4dee5fdea28418b4609.html Manita goal:
Just finished watching the scoreless but exciting end of Juve-Inter and now switching to MLS final, I don't watch much MLS at all but stumbled on this earlier today, two Victors from La Masia, one on each club: https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/12/07/barca-six-two-victors-face-2017-mls-cup
Bravo leads Man City to PK shootout victory and semifinals of Carbao Cup, Guardiola goes for celebratory hug and the old Pep head rub (better than a Pep slap) and Claudio is not happy. Being relegated to the bench except for domestic cups, when he thought he was joining City to once and for all be the #1 will grate, no doubt, as will missing World Cup for likely his last chance. At least he is filthy rich. There's a live video embedded in the link but these photos sort of sum it up: http://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2017/12/20/5a3aadb4ca4741cd0a8b4625.html
Over the weekend I was making a twitter list that exclusively featured members of Spain's 2010 World Cup team. Among the accounts I added was Victor Valdes', who had recently tweeted out a nice image of a sunrise from some open field. Today his twitter account no longer exists. https://twitter.com/1victorvaldes
I read about him saying goodbye, apparently it was a promise to his family and sounds like he did not like the spot light of social media too much ever: http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2018/01/02/5a4bb2c0ca4741c93a8b456d.html http://www.sportbible.com/football/...etes-all-social-media-after-retiring-20180102
Is there anyone around knowledgeable enough on Barca to give us a heads-up when one of our loaned-out players is playing on TV ??
Athletic Bilbao v Alavés (Munir) is going on right now but beIN (U.S.) showing Villarreal-Deportivo. Munir started on the bench.
Victor is a legend. After as someone said ramallets and zubizaretta, he was an amazing keeper who had a very powerful personality and crazy willpower. Puyol and Xavi get a lot of credit but without victor none of this would have been possible. He was just awesome and always took the risk and added value to the play apart from saves and protection of the ball. He did a mad decade from 2004 to 2014 and our best era ever in the history of the club. The dream team was its own era but out bunch were a part of the 200406 team as well as Guardiola s team. His shirt is what I will always buy after Puyol and Luis Enrique.
G⚽️AL MORNING!!!🎂 Happy Birthday, @MarcBartra!!! 🎁 pic.twitter.com/YIxNWTFWgA— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 15, 2018 Moltes gràcies!! 👍🏼💪🏼 https://t.co/XQ6KCqeDn5— Marc Bartra (@MarcBartra) January 15, 2018 A per un nou any i totes les coses bones que estan per arribar. Per molts anys amic @MarcBartra pic.twitter.com/eBgl2l6eGt— Carles Puyol (@Carles5puyol) January 15, 2018 Gràcies Mestre! Sempre endavant 💪🏼💪🏼 https://t.co/OC7y5okFvW— Marc Bartra (@MarcBartra) January 15, 2018
Ronaldinho retired officially today. Barca has a pretty solid past, but the recent past greats - Valdes, Puyol, Xavi, Dinho - have been something truly special.
His official retirement led me to this article, where he says he would play again if he never had to practice. https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/08/0...ad-perfect-answer-when-asked-about-retirement
For me Ronaldinho retired around 2007 He had an OK run at Flamengo and Atletico in Brazil. But never the same after 2006. Enjoyed watching his career from 2002 WC on. Was a joy to watch at his peak. Also saw his first game for Barca in a pre-season friendly in the US vs Juventus. He only played in the 2nd half as he had just flown in. Still gave a couple of magical passes.