Former Barcelona goalkeeper and Spain international Victor Valdes has retired from football aged 35, after leaving Middlesbrough in the summer.
Valdes, who also spent time at Manchester United, announced the decision via his Instagram account with a picture titled ‘thanks for everything’ before deleting all his social media accounts.
“I don't enjoy the fame,” Valdes told RAC1 two years ago, as cited by ESPN.
“When this all ends, I'll be with my children, teaching them about life. I hope when the lights go out it will be difficult for people to find me.”
Valdes won six league titles and three Champions League crowns at the Camp Nou in 535 appearances across a 22-year stint at the club he joined initially as a 10-year-old.
After his departure from the Blaugrana in 2014 he had been set to join Monaco before an injury ruled out a move, and he eventually joined former boss Louis Van Gaal at Manchester United.
The goalkeeper could not take away the number one spot from David De Gea, had a brief stint on loan at Standard Liege and was released in unceremonious circumstances, before joining Middlesbrough under Aitor Karanka, whom he left after relegation last year.
Valdes also won 20 international caps for Spain.
