Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes has spoken of the knee injury that almost ended his career last year.
The Spain international tore an anterior cruciate ligament during Barcelona’s 3-0 defeat of Celta Vigo last March, after having announced his intention to leave the Camp Nou at the end of the season, and has since gone on to sign an 18-month deal with United.
However, the 33-year-old revealed he came close to calling time on his professional playing career.
“I knew I was going to hurt my knee because everything had been going too well for me. I knew I was going to hurt it,” he told El Pais.
“I knew from the beginning that it was broken. When I tried to support the leg I heard a crunch in the knee and knew it was broken.
“I was close to retiring but I have three children,” he admitted.
Valdes is now working alongside David de Gea, the current No 1 at Old Trafford, and has nothing but praise for his countryman.
“Right now David is the best goalkeeper in the world in terms of pure performance,” he maintained.