Name: Rubén Óscar Valdez Ferrero



Country: Spain | Argentina
Club: Valencia C.F. (1971-1978)
Number: 11
Position: *WF, SS, SMF
Side: LF/LS
Age: 25-28 years (25/07/1946)

Height: 170 cm
Weight: 69 kg

Attack: 81
Defence: 44
Balance: 78
Stamina: 81
Top Speed: 83
Acceleration: 88
Response: 79
Agility: 83
Dribble Accuracy: 85
Dribble Speed: 86
Short Pass Accuracy: 76
Short Pass Speed: 78
Long Pass Accuracy: 78
Long Pass Speed: 78
Shot Accuracy: 76
Shot Power: 84
Shot Technique: 79
Free Kick Accuracy: 79
Curling: 77
Header: 74
Jump: 76
Technique: 84
Aggression: 87
Mentality: 75
Goalkeeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 73

Injury Tolerance: B
Condition/Fitness: 6
Weak Foot Accuracy: 5
Weak Foot Frequency: 5
Consistency: 5
Growth type: Standard/Lasting

CARDS:
P04 - Darting Run
P10 - Incisive Run
S05 - Speed Merchant

SPECIAL ABILITIES: Dribbling - 1-On-1 Scoring - Side

Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Attack-Minded


INFO:
Born in Buenos Aires, Valdez began his career playing for Almirante Brown, a team from his hometown, until 1968. In 1969 he went to Platense, staying there until 1970. In 1970 he became the main reinforcement for Di Stéfano's Valencia. It took a while to arrive, and in fact he did not debut until October 17, against Sporting de Gijón, and despite the fact that his numbers in the first season were not high (5 goals in 18 games, in line with the team's scoring volume in general ), helped to conquer that long-awaited League. On the penultimate day he scored two important goals against Elche at Mestalla, but a muscle strain left him out of the decisive game against Espanyol in Sarriá. He played for 8 years in a row at the club, playing in the Spanish team with a false certificate of "oriundo" (descendant of Spanish). The arrival of Kurt Jara in 1973 brought him great competition for his position, and Valdez reduced his appearances in the starting eleven.

Óscar Valdez was a player with technique, who carried the ball close to his left foot. Quick in the starts, he was easy to beat the rival goalkeeper in one on one. He scored important goals, such as those in the Cup semi-finals against Madrid, and in the 1971 finals with a header in the half-turn, and in 1972 with a great left foot. In 1973 he scored four goals in a row against Castellón. Player with a lot of class, fast, technical and with a great shot with his left foot, the earthquake caused by a shot he fired from almost 45 meters is still remembered.

Valdez was not a great goalscorer, but his game gave off an irresistible attraction. He did not go unnoticed by anyone because he got out of the routine, some genius move was always expected from him who was fast but not reckless, he jumped headfirst with surprising energy, he took corners and free kicks with precision and power. A complete footballer in multiple facets who was also endowed with an extraordinary class.

Valdez was first selected to play for Spain in 1972. He made his debut in a 2-0 home win against Uruguay on 23 May 1972, in which he scored one of the goals. He became international nine times between 1972 and 1974 at the hands of a Ladislao Kubala who was very fond of him. His final international appearance came on 13 February 1974 in a 1-0 defeat to Yugoslavia in Frankfurt in a qualification game for the 1974 FIFA World Cup.