Victor Valdes’ Barcelona career is almost certainly over after the goalkeeper sustained a serious knee injury against Celta Vigo on Wednesday night.

The Spaniard will need surgery after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament as he jumped to collect a loose ball and landed badly.

Valdes was taken off on a stretcher in the 23rd minute and was in great pain as he was removed from the pitch.

Barcelona’s official website released a statement saying: ‘Victor Valdes suffered an ACL tear on 22 minutes after saving a free kick from Augusto.

‘The club’s medical services confirm that he will need surgery. The keeper fell awkwardly on his right leg, forcing him to ask to be substituted.’

The goalkeeper, who joined the club at just 10 years old and made his debut in 2002, was taken to hospital as the game progressed.

Barcelona ran out 3-0 winners but their bid to win La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey has been dented by Valdes’s injury.

He will be out for several months and it is known that he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season when his contract runs out.

After the game Neymar said: ‘We are very sad for our team-mate.’

Tata Martino did not want to speculate at the extent of the injury. He said: ‘Valdes’s injury is a big blow. Thought we had already had all our bad luck this season, but I was wrong. The team will keep going.’

Barcelona are allowed to sign a goalkeeper on emergency loan from another La Liga side, but Martino will not take up the option.

‘We won’t sign a goalkeeper. We will finish the season with this group,’ Martino said. ‘I am not one to believe in bad luck, but at this stage of the season I thought everything that was to happen had already occurred. I was wrong.

‘It’s a big blow but this team has rolled with punches for some time now and we will pull through this.’

Jose Manuel Pinto will fill in for Valdes and he made some good saves against Celta Vigo, but also had one shaky moment which worried Barcelona’s supporters.

Valdes’s Barcelona team-mate Javier Mascherano expressed his sorrow on Twitter, saying: ‘Nothing to celebrate. Get well soon Victor Valdes.’

Andres Iniesta, a good friend of Valdes, who was taken off at half time after he complained of a calf pain, added: ‘It is a horrible piece of news. The game changed with Victor’s injury. It’s always hard to take when something like this happens, but we will keep going with the same spirit.’

Manchester United goalkeeeper David de Gea, who may stand to benefit if Valdes is ruled out of the Spain World Cup squad, wrote: ‘I want to give all my support and strengh to a goalkeeper that I admire and respect. Victor Valdes, wish you get well and see you soon in the pitch.’

—Daily Mail