Such is the fierce competition for Spain's No1 jersey that, despite his trophy-laden club career, it seemed that the honour of representing his country at senior level was destined to elude Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

This lack of recognition belied the fact that the 28-year-old Azulgrana stalwart has been a key part of Barça's staggering recent success, as well as winning the Spanish top-flight's Zamora trophy for the past two seasons. Awarded to the keeper with fewest goals conceded, Valdes achieved these notable feats in an attacking side playing a very high defensive line. Boasting a steely character, physical strength, agility and lightning reflexes, Valdes has also assiduously improved on what was his biggest flaw: poor decision making when coming out for crosses.

A product of the Catalan giants' famed youth system, Valdes made his first-team bow back in 2002/03. Within a year he had made the No1 jersey his own, finally putting to an end a lengthy period of instability and frequent changes of personnel between the Barcelona sticks. The young Catalan continued his upward curve, claiming his first Zamora gong and La Liga title in 2004/05, and has been Barça's undisputed first-choice custodian ever since.

A Spain international at U-15 and U-17 level, Valdes had previously received only one senior call-up, for a friendly against Uruguay in August 2005, but did not make his debut. And though the gifted shot-stopper is likely to be a back-up to La Roja captain Iker Casillas at South Africa 2010, this underlines the embarrassment of goalkeeping riches at coach Vicente del Bosque's disposal.

On 16 May 2010, Valdés won his fourth title as Barcelona clinched a second successive Spanish league title with Pep Guardiola's side, ending the season with 99 points. On 29 August 2011, Valdés played his 410th match with Barcelona and equaled Andoni Zubizarreta record as Barcelona's goalkeeper with most appearances. Valdés went 896 minutes without conceding a single goal during the 2011–12 season.