Óscar Rubén Valdez, the former Argentine player who made a name for himself as a prominent frontman for Valencia in the 1970s, has sadly passed away at the age of 78 after a long illness. Born in Buenos Aires in 1946, Valdez joined Valencia in 1970 and spent eight seasons with the club, participating in 210 games, scoring 60 goals, and providing 32 assists. His impressive performance was instrumental in the team’s conquest of the League title in the 1970-71 season under the guidance of coach Di Stéfano.
A Career Spanning Multiple Roles
In addition to his successful stint with Valencia, Valdez also had the honor of representing the Spanish national team on nine occasions between 1972 and 1974, scoring five goals during this period. After hanging up his boots, Valdez went on to pursue a career in coaching, earning his training title and even taking the reins of Valencia’s first team for the first 22 league games of the 1985-1986 season, before being relieved by Di Stéfano. It’s worth noting, what could have been if he had more time to make his mark as a coach?
Leaving A Lasting Legacy
Following his coaching stint, Valdez settled in Valencia, where he dedicated himself to nurturing young soccer talent, both within Valencia’s youth academy and as the director of the prestigious Cracks School, a role he held until his retirement. You can’t help but wonder, how many young players did he inspire during his time at the Cracks School? The impact he had on the football community will surely be felt for years to come.
Tribute And Remembrance
Valencia CF has expressed its deep regret over the loss of Valdez, announcing that a tribute will be paid to him during the next game at Mestalla against Atlético. The funeral mass will take place this Monday at 11:30 am in the parish of San Pascual Bailón, located on Doctor Moliner 6 street in Valencia. It’s a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to the sport, and his legacy will undoubtedly live on through the countless lives he touched throughout his career. As we say goodbye to this football legend, we can’t help but ask, what’s the best way to honor his memory – by celebrating his achievements, or by continuing to inspire the next generation of footballers?
