© EuroFootball.com
After holding a press conference on Monday, "Barcelona" midfielder Andres Iniesta declared his support for the team's goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
The agent of the 31-year-old footballer announced last week that his client does not intend to sign a new contract with the Catalan club and should leave in the summer of 2014.
Rumors about a new goalkeeper for "Barcelona" immediately spread in the Spanish and other European media. To make matters worse, over the weekend, Tito Vilanova's players lost to Real Sociedad, and Valdes let in the ball from his goal post three times.
Despite the controversy, Iniesta defended his teammate: "As a footballer, I don't like Valdes's decision. I consider him the best goalkeeper in the world and don't want to lose my friend. However, as a person, I understand him perfectly and fully support him because we are all masters of our fate."
"Barca's" midfielder also expressed hope that this weekend, when "Barcelona" meets Osasuna at the Camp Nou stadium, the team's fans will not greet Valdes with whistles.
"For many, the news was unexpected, but if we think calmly, Victor's choice seems simple and natural. He spent nearly twenty years at Barca since childhood, became the best goalkeeper in La Liga five times, and all the team's victories would not have been possible without him. I hope our fans are intelligent and understanding people and will not boo this weekend," said Iniesta.
"I don't think he will be replaced. My team's goalkeeper is Valdes and he will remain so until the last day," added the Spaniard.
