Nelson Haedo Valdez
Encyclopedia
Nelson Antonio Haedo Valdez (born 28 November 1983 in Caaguazú
, Paraguay
) is a Paraguayan
football striker who currently plays for Russian Premier League
side Rubin Kazan
and the Paraguayan national team.
in the deprived district of San Joaquin, one of the poorest parts of Paraguay. He confessed that he had an "excellent childhood" who had the joy of being from a loving family. Not owning a football, Valdez's skills were developed by playing with an orange or a pair of socks as his family, which included six siblings, could not afford to buy a ball for him. Before leaving home, Valdez was to convince his mother to let him play football. His father took his side and Valdez eventually managed to go to Asuncion to pursue his dream.
when he was signed to the junior divisions of Club Atlético Tembetary
and eventually made his first-team debut in 2000
. The small club, then based in the Paraguayan second division, were not able to pay him a salary large enough to earn a living and his family were not able to provide funding for him. Valdez confessed the difficulty he faced when leaving his impoverished family and his home to begin playing with the club, for two years he would spend some nights sleeping under the wooden planks and in a stairwell under the grandstand at the club's stadium using a makeshift bed of blankets and cardboard which laid in the stairwell beneath the stand, he never told his parents who were poor land workers.
Valdez had no home while playing in Tembetary's youth team's while living 250 kilometres away from his family. He worked night shifts in a sawmill to pay for food and drink, developing a penchant for cane liquor Valdez revealed that he was once "almost an alcoholic". He was a 16 year old exposed to danger and the Paraguayan climate, boiling hot summers and freezing cold winters, which Valdez described as "hell", "frightening and horrible" "But if you have nothing, what can they steal? I had nothing to give".
Jürgen Born
, chairman of the board or management of Werder Bremen worked for Deutsche Bank in Latin America stated that he saw a "madman who never stopped running" remembering youth games in Ypané. He bought Valdez a ticket to Germany and got on the phone to Werder Bremen. Klaus Allofs
, a scout from Werder Bremen spotted Nelson's silky finishing, Valdez flew over to Germany for a trial. Valdez failed at first, not impressing in his trial but the club president's wife, who was a fellow Paraguay
an, asked for Valdez to be given another trial. He scored four times in his first trial match and was offered the chance to join Werder Bremen's youth team.
and knew just enough Spanish
. He spent the first two seasons in the Regionalliga with the Werder Bremen reserve
team, but became more regular. Valdez scored 15 times in 30 appearances for Bremen's U-18 side.
called Valdez up to the squad where he debuted in a 1-0 loss to Energie Cottbus where he was substituted onto the field on 82 minutes for Christian Schulz
on 22 February 2003.
On 23 August 2003 Valdez celebrated his first goal of the 2003–04 Fußball-Bundesliga season against Schalke 04 when he scored after three minutes of coming on to the field. On 30 October 2003 it was reported that Valdez had signed a professional contract with the club's first-team until 2007.
On 29 May 2004 Bremen faced Alemannia Aachen
in the 2003–04 DFB-Pokal cup final where Valdez had been substituted onto the field for Ivan Klasnić
on 87 minutes of the 3-2 win as Bremen were crowned champions.
Bremen finished on top of the Bundesliga table with 74 points and qualified for the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League. Valdez had scored 5 goals in 21 league appearances.
. On 7 December 2004, within minutes of coming on as a substitute, Valdez scored two goals against Spanish side Valencia
to help his team to a 2–0 away win in an ill-tempered match and enable it to progress beyond the group stages of the Champions League at Valencia's expense. Bremen faced Lyon
in the round of 16 Champions League knockout stage, Valdez played in both games where his side lost 3–0 in Bremen and 7–2 in Lyon. During his years in the first-team Valdez did not often receive the opportunity to play in the starting eleven, his opportunities were limited when competing for a place up-front with Miroslav Klose
and Ivan Klasnić
, the Bundesliga's top striking duo at the time.
During the 2009–10 Bundesliga season
Valdez would make 28 appearances and score five goals. By then, Paraguayan striker Lucas Barrios
would join Valdez at the club. Nelson's last goal for Borussia Dortmund came in a 1–1 draw against Hoffenheim on 18 April 2010 when Valdez had been substituted on the pitch for Mohamed Zidan
on 29 minutes and scored a second half goal on 57 minutes to put Dortmund in front. Dortmund finished in fifth position of the Bundesliga table and qualified for the 2010–11 Europa League. In June 2010, Premier League club Sunderland
had lined up a bid for Haedo Valdez after his impressive performance against Italy
at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
. Borussia Dortmund had indicated that they wanted €10million or around £8m for Valdez but Sunderland's boss Steve Bruce
had been hoping to sign him for less.
after admitting that he had received offers to play in Russia. Valdez became the most expensive signing in the history of Hércules having been transferred for €3.5million. His debut resulted in a brace against FC Barcelona
on 11 September in a surprising 2–0 victory at the Camp Nou
. Valdez scored his second double for Hércules in a 3–1 win against Levante
on 29 November. He would then score in a 4–1 against Atletico Madrid on 11 January 2011. In January, when Valdez had scored six times in 11 appearances, it was reported that Real Madrid
had considered signing him when Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain
was ruled out for the season following back surgery, however, a transfer was never established. He received a red card on 61 minutes in his second last game of the 2010–11 season in a 3–2 loss against Racing Santander on 8 May. He would finish the season having scored 8 goals in 25 league appearances as Hércules would finish 19th in La Liga and face relegation. Having been partnered up front with David Trezeguet
, the two had scored 20 goals between them for the 2010–11 season
. During his performance at the 2011 Copa América in July, it was reported in Spanish newspapers that a Wigan Athletic
party had traveled to Spain to make a €4 million offer for the striker, which was rejected as they were told to put up more money to meet the €5 million release clause in Valdez's contract. Sunderland
then propsed an offer of €4.2 million to sign Valdez, who by then had received a lucrative offer from Holland's PSV Eindhoven and also offers from Russia
, Portugal
and England
. On 1 August it was reported by ABC de Sevilla that Real Betis
had already began negotiations with Hércules for Valdez as a replacement for Achille Emana
who was reported to being transferred to Saudi Arabia's
Al-Hilal
, where Hércules had asked for €4 million for the striker, Valdez was also reportedly tempted by Al-Hilal.
side Rubin Kazan. His debut came in a 3–1 away loss to FC Krasnodar
on 10 September where he received a yellow card on 27 minutes. He made his first appearance in the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League
on 15 September in a 3–0 victory over Ireland's
Shamrock Rovers. Valdéz scored his first goal in the Europa League in a 2–2 draw against PAOK on 29 September 2011.
held in the United Arab Emirates
as Paraguay had finished third at the 2003 South American Youth Championship
. Valdez featured in all three group-stage fixtures scoring in the last game in a 2–0 win against Germany as Paraguay finished second in their group. Valdez then featured in Paraguay's round of 16 clash against Spain where which Paraguay were beaten 1–0.
Having not been selected for Paraguay's Under-23 squad for the 2004 Summer Olympics
, Valdez was part of the Paraguay 22 man squad at the 2004 Copa America in Peru
. Playing in two of Paraguay's three group stage games as Paraguay finished in first place and were drawn against Uruguay in the quarter-finals. Valdez played in the quarter-final which Paraguay lost 3–1.
Valdez scored his first goal for Paraguay in a game against El Salvador
on 17 August 2005.
During the 2006 FIFA World cup qualification campaign
Valdez scored after 64 minutes in a 1–0 away win against Venezuela
on 8 October 2005. Paraguay finished fourth with 28 points as Valdez was selected for the final 23 man squad for the tournament where he was handed the number 18 shirt. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup
, Valdez started in Paraguay's opening Group B clash against England which they lost 1–0. After a solid performance from Valdez against Sweden
in the second game Paraguay would lose 1–0 after 89 minutes and be eliminated from the tournament. Valdez would play 66 minutes of Paraguay's final group stage fixture against Trinidad and Tobago
, which they won 2–0, as he was replaced by Nelson Cuevas.
Valdez was not included in Paraguay's squad for the 2007 Copa America in Venezuela
, however, a few months later he took part in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
, he opened his goal scoring account in round two of the qualifiers scoring in a 1–0 win against Uruguay
on 7 October 2007. Paraguay were undefeated until round six where they had lost 4–2 against Bolivia
in La Paz
, Valdez scored his third goal of the qualifiers. On 9 September 2009, in Asunción
in round 16 of the qualifiers Haedo Valdez scored after 27 minutes of the first half to give Paraguay a 1–0 lead against Argentina
, who were coached by Diego Maradona
at the time, Paraguay won the game 1–0 and qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
. Paraguay finished the campaign in third spot, behind Brazil
and Chile
, with 33 points as Valdez had scored five times in 17 appearances.
Valdez was selected in the 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
. Paraguay were grouped with Slovakia
, New Zealand and Italy
, Valdez participated in all three matches as Paraguay finished top of the group with five points. In the round of 16 Paraguay faced Japan
where they drew 0–0 after extra-time
, Valdez replaced Édgar Benítez
after 60 minutes and played until extra-time had finished. The match was decided by a Penalty shootout, Valdez converted his, and Paraguay's fourth, spot kick and eventually won the shootout 5–3. Paraguay faced Spain
in the quarter-finals, during the first-half Valdez scored past Iker Casillas
but had the goal ruled out as offside. Paraguay eventually lost the game 1–0.
He was selected in the squad for the 2011 Copa América
where Paraguay had been drawn in Group B
with Brazil
, Ecuardor
and Venezuela
. In Paraguay's opening group stage fixture on 3 July 2011 Haedo Valdez was substituted onto the field on 73 minutes for Lucas Barrios
as Paraguay drew 0–0 with Ecuador. On 9 July 2011, Paraguay faced Brazil when Valdez was substituted onto the field on 56 minutes for a yellow carded Lucas Barrios while Paraguay were drawing 1–1 with Brazil. Valdez then scored a goal on 66 minutes as Paraguay took the lead to 2–1. Brazil eventually levelled the score on 89 minutes as the game finished at 2–2.
. San Joaquin depends on Valdez as he provides the people with a better chance than he ever had.
Valdez once, gun in hand, chased off thieves stealing his car and ran into his blazing home to save his dog.
Caaguazú Department
Caaguazú is a department in Paraguay. The capital is the city of Coronel Oviedo.- History :The area that today is known as Caaguazú, was threatened during the 16th and 17th centuries by the Portuguese Bandeirantes and Guaicurú Indians, desolating the land for many years.In the 18th century,...
, Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
) is a Paraguayan
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
football striker who currently plays for Russian Premier League
Russian Premier League
The Russian Premier League , currently called SOGAZ Russian Football Championship due to sponsorship reasons, is the top division of Russian football. There are 16 teams in the competition...
side Rubin Kazan
FC Rubin Kazan
FC Rubin Kazan is a Russian association football club based in the city of Kazan . Rubin won the Russian Premier League championship in 2008 and 2009.-History:...
and the Paraguayan national team.
Early life
Growing up as a kid who dreamed of playing for Paraguay, Valdez and his family lived in povertyPoverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
in the deprived district of San Joaquin, one of the poorest parts of Paraguay. He confessed that he had an "excellent childhood" who had the joy of being from a loving family. Not owning a football, Valdez's skills were developed by playing with an orange or a pair of socks as his family, which included six siblings, could not afford to buy a ball for him. Before leaving home, Valdez was to convince his mother to let him play football. His father took his side and Valdez eventually managed to go to Asuncion to pursue his dream.
Tembetary
Aged 15, Valdez left his home and family to move to YpanéYpané
Ypané is a town in the Central Department of Paraguay, 27 km from Asunción. It is communicated by Routes 1 and 2. It is called the "Garden City"...
when he was signed to the junior divisions of Club Atlético Tembetary
Club Atlético Tembetary
Club Atlético Tembetary Ypané is a football club from Ypané, Paraguay founded in 1912. Since 2009 the club has played in the Primera C División, Paraguay's fourth division. Despite being a very small team that is actually part of the lower divisions of the Paraguayan football league it is very well...
and eventually made his first-team debut in 2000
2000 in Paraguayan football
-Torneo Apertura:The Apertura tournament was played in a two-round all-play-all system, with the champion being the team with the most points at the end of the two rounds.-Torneo Clausura:The Clausura tournament was played in a single all-play-all system...
. The small club, then based in the Paraguayan second division, were not able to pay him a salary large enough to earn a living and his family were not able to provide funding for him. Valdez confessed the difficulty he faced when leaving his impoverished family and his home to begin playing with the club, for two years he would spend some nights sleeping under the wooden planks and in a stairwell under the grandstand at the club's stadium using a makeshift bed of blankets and cardboard which laid in the stairwell beneath the stand, he never told his parents who were poor land workers.
Valdez had no home while playing in Tembetary's youth team's while living 250 kilometres away from his family. He worked night shifts in a sawmill to pay for food and drink, developing a penchant for cane liquor Valdez revealed that he was once "almost an alcoholic". He was a 16 year old exposed to danger and the Paraguayan climate, boiling hot summers and freezing cold winters, which Valdez described as "hell", "frightening and horrible" "But if you have nothing, what can they steal? I had nothing to give".
Jürgen Born
Jürgen L. Born
Jürgen Ludger Born is a German banker and he was chairman of the board or management of Werder Bremen.-References:...
, chairman of the board or management of Werder Bremen worked for Deutsche Bank in Latin America stated that he saw a "madman who never stopped running" remembering youth games in Ypané. He bought Valdez a ticket to Germany and got on the phone to Werder Bremen. Klaus Allofs
Klaus Allofs
Klaus Allofs is a retired German footballer, who played as a striker.A prolific goalscorer for club and country , his younger brother, Thomas, was also a professional footballer – and a striker.-Club career:Allofs began playing...
, a scout from Werder Bremen spotted Nelson's silky finishing, Valdez flew over to Germany for a trial. Valdez failed at first, not impressing in his trial but the club president's wife, who was a fellow Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
an, asked for Valdez to be given another trial. He scored four times in his first trial match and was offered the chance to join Werder Bremen's youth team.
Werder Bremen
Haedo Valdez joined Werder Bremen in December 2001. He did not know a word of GermanGerman language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
and knew just enough Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
. He spent the first two seasons in the Regionalliga with the Werder Bremen reserve
Reserve team
Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...
team, but became more regular. Valdez scored 15 times in 30 appearances for Bremen's U-18 side.
2003–04 season
The then first-team manager Thomas SchaafThomas Schaaf
Thomas Schaaf is a former German football defender and current manager of Werder Bremen. A true one-club man, he spent his entire playing career, and so far coaching career, with Werder Bremen...
called Valdez up to the squad where he debuted in a 1-0 loss to Energie Cottbus where he was substituted onto the field on 82 minutes for Christian Schulz
Christian Schulz
Christian Schulz is a German footballer, currently with German Bundesliga club Hannover 96 as a centre back....
on 22 February 2003.
On 23 August 2003 Valdez celebrated his first goal of the 2003–04 Fußball-Bundesliga season against Schalke 04 when he scored after three minutes of coming on to the field. On 30 October 2003 it was reported that Valdez had signed a professional contract with the club's first-team until 2007.
On 29 May 2004 Bremen faced Alemannia Aachen
Alemannia Aachen
Alemannia Aachen is a German football club from the western city of Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia. A long term fixture of the country's second division, Alemannia enjoyed a three-year turn in the top flight in the late 1960s and, after a successful 2005–06 campaign, returned to first division play...
in the 2003–04 DFB-Pokal cup final where Valdez had been substituted onto the field for Ivan Klasnić
Ivan Klasnic
Ivan Klasnić is a Croatian footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers of the Premier League. He is a Croatian international. In 2007, Klasnić underwent a kidney transplant, and became the first player to participate in a major tournament after a transplant.-St. Pauli:Klasnić started his...
on 87 minutes of the 3-2 win as Bremen were crowned champions.
Bremen finished on top of the Bundesliga table with 74 points and qualified for the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League. Valdez had scored 5 goals in 21 league appearances.
2004–05 season
On 14 September 2004, Valdez debuted in the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League in a game against Inter MilanF.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
. On 7 December 2004, within minutes of coming on as a substitute, Valdez scored two goals against Spanish side Valencia
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
to help his team to a 2–0 away win in an ill-tempered match and enable it to progress beyond the group stages of the Champions League at Valencia's expense. Bremen faced Lyon
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
in the round of 16 Champions League knockout stage, Valdez played in both games where his side lost 3–0 in Bremen and 7–2 in Lyon. During his years in the first-team Valdez did not often receive the opportunity to play in the starting eleven, his opportunities were limited when competing for a place up-front with Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Josef Klose is a German footballer who plays as a striker for Lazio in the Serie A. Since bursting onto the international stage at the 2002 World Cup, he has become well known for his knack of scoring headers, front-flip goal celebrations, and decisive short passing.Klose holds German...
and Ivan Klasnić
Ivan Klasnic
Ivan Klasnić is a Croatian footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers of the Premier League. He is a Croatian international. In 2007, Klasnić underwent a kidney transplant, and became the first player to participate in a major tournament after a transplant.-St. Pauli:Klasnić started his...
, the Bundesliga's top striking duo at the time.
Borussia Dortmund
In May 2006 Borussia Dortmund were impressed enough by Valdez to offer him a four-year contract, where he was able to start on a regular basis but struggled to score, with one goal in 29 outings in 2006–07. His lack of prolificacy was always compensated for by energy and creativity.During the 2009–10 Bundesliga season
2009–10 Fußball-Bundesliga
The 2009–10 Fußball-Bundesliga was the 47th season of the Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's premier football league. The season commenced on 7 August 2009 with the traditional season opening match involving the defending champions VfL Wolfsburg and VfB Stuttgart. The last games were played on 8 May 2010...
Valdez would make 28 appearances and score five goals. By then, Paraguayan striker Lucas Barrios
Lucas Barrios
Lucas Ramón Barrios Cáceres is an Argentine-born Paraguayan footballer. He currently plays as a striker for Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga. Barrios is known for his effectiveness in the target area...
would join Valdez at the club. Nelson's last goal for Borussia Dortmund came in a 1–1 draw against Hoffenheim on 18 April 2010 when Valdez had been substituted on the pitch for Mohamed Zidan
Mohamed Zidan
Mohamed Abdullah Zidan is an Egyptian footballer. He currently plays as a striker for the German club Borussia Dortmund as well as the Egyptian national team. Nicknamed "Zizou", he is known for putting unique designs in his hair.-Early career:Zidan was born in Port Said, Egypt, to an Egyptian...
on 29 minutes and scored a second half goal on 57 minutes to put Dortmund in front. Dortmund finished in fifth position of the Bundesliga table and qualified for the 2010–11 Europa League. In June 2010, Premier League club Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
had lined up a bid for Haedo Valdez after his impressive performance against Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
. Borussia Dortmund had indicated that they wanted €10million or around £8m for Valdez but Sunderland's boss Steve Bruce
Steve Bruce
Stephen Roger "Steve" Bruce is an English football manager and former player. Born in Corbridge, Northumberland, he was a promising schoolboy footballer but was rejected by a number of professional clubs. He was on the verge of quitting the game altogether when he was offered a trial with Gillingham...
had been hoping to sign him for less.
Hércules
In August 2010 Valdez signed a three-year contract with Hércules CFHércules CF
Hércules Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Alicante, in the autonomous community of Valencia. Founded in 1922, it currently plays in the Spanish second division, and holds home games at the Estadio José Rico Pérez, which seats 30,000 spectators.-History:After first...
after admitting that he had received offers to play in Russia. Valdez became the most expensive signing in the history of Hércules having been transferred for €3.5million. His debut resulted in a brace against FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
on 11 September in a surprising 2–0 victory at the Camp Nou
Camp Nou
Camp Nou , sometimes called "the Nou Camp" in English, is a football stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The stadium, located in the west of the city, has been the home of FC Barcelona since its construction in 1957....
. Valdez scored his second double for Hércules in a 3–1 win against Levante
Levante
This is a disambiguation page. Levante may refer to*Levant, the lands in the eastern Mediterranean, covering Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq.*Levante, Spain, the eastern Iberian coastal region of Spain...
on 29 November. He would then score in a 4–1 against Atletico Madrid on 11 January 2011. In January, when Valdez had scored six times in 11 appearances, it was reported that Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
had considered signing him when Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain
Gonzalo Higuaín
Gonzalo Gerardo "El Pipita" Higuaín is an Argentine professional footballer. He was born in France, attaining Argentine citizenship in 2007, and now holding dual nationality...
was ruled out for the season following back surgery, however, a transfer was never established. He received a red card on 61 minutes in his second last game of the 2010–11 season in a 3–2 loss against Racing Santander on 8 May. He would finish the season having scored 8 goals in 25 league appearances as Hércules would finish 19th in La Liga and face relegation. Having been partnered up front with David Trezeguet
David Trézéguet
David Sergio Trezeguet is a World Cup winning French international footballer who currently is a free agent after being released by Baniyas SC on 21 Nov 2011....
, the two had scored 20 goals between them for the 2010–11 season
2010–11 La Liga
The 2010–11 La Liga season was the 80th since its establishment. The campaign began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 21 May 2011. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2009–10 season and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División...
. During his performance at the 2011 Copa América in July, it was reported in Spanish newspapers that a Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
party had traveled to Spain to make a €4 million offer for the striker, which was rejected as they were told to put up more money to meet the €5 million release clause in Valdez's contract. Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
then propsed an offer of €4.2 million to sign Valdez, who by then had received a lucrative offer from Holland's PSV Eindhoven and also offers from Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
and England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. On 1 August it was reported by ABC de Sevilla that Real Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
had already began negotiations with Hércules for Valdez as a replacement for Achille Emana
Achille Emana
Achille Emana Edzimbi , known as Emana, is a Cameroonian footballer who plays for Al-Hilal FC in Saudi Arabia, as an attacking midfielder.-Toulouse:...
who was reported to being transferred to Saudi Arabia's
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club , also known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the country's capital of Riyadh and best known for its professional football team, known as Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club...
, where Hércules had asked for €4 million for the striker, Valdez was also reportedly tempted by Al-Hilal.
Rubin Kazan
In August 2011, Valdez signed a four-year contract with Russian Premier LeagueRussian Premier League
The Russian Premier League , currently called SOGAZ Russian Football Championship due to sponsorship reasons, is the top division of Russian football. There are 16 teams in the competition...
side Rubin Kazan. His debut came in a 3–1 away loss to FC Krasnodar
FC Krasnodar
FC Krasnodar is a Russian association football club from Krasnodar. In 2009 the club was promoted to the Russian First Division, the second highest division of the Russian football league system despite finishing Zone South of Second Division as 3rd. In 2009 club finished as 10th...
on 10 September where he received a yellow card on 27 minutes. He made his first appearance in the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League
2011–12 UEFA Europa League
The 2011–12 UEFA Europa League is the third season of the competition since it was renamed from the UEFA Cup. It began on 30 June 2011 with the first legs of the first qualifying round, and will end on 9 May 2012 with the final to be held at Stadionul Național in Bucharest, Romania...
on 15 September in a 3–0 victory over Ireland's
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
Shamrock Rovers. Valdéz scored his first goal in the Europa League in a 2–2 draw against PAOK on 29 September 2011.
International career
Valdez was selected for Paraguay's Under-20 squad for the 2003 FIFA U-20 World Cup2003 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in United Arab Emirates between November 27 and December 19, 2003. The 2003 championship was the 14th contested...
held in the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
as Paraguay had finished third at the 2003 South American Youth Championship
2003 South American Youth Championship
-Group B:-Results:-----------------Final group:-Results:-----------------Top scorers:8 goals Fernando Cavenaghi4 goals Dagoberto Jaime Ruiz Dante López Erwin Ávalos...
. Valdez featured in all three group-stage fixtures scoring in the last game in a 2–0 win against Germany as Paraguay finished second in their group. Valdez then featured in Paraguay's round of 16 clash against Spain where which Paraguay were beaten 1–0.
Having not been selected for Paraguay's Under-23 squad for the 2004 Summer Olympics
Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 2004 Summer Olympics started on 11 August, , and ended on 28 August.The men's tournament is played by U-23 national teams, with up to three over age players allowed per squad...
, Valdez was part of the Paraguay 22 man squad at the 2004 Copa America in Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
. Playing in two of Paraguay's three group stage games as Paraguay finished in first place and were drawn against Uruguay in the quarter-finals. Valdez played in the quarter-final which Paraguay lost 3–1.
Valdez scored his first goal for Paraguay in a game against El Salvador
El Salvador national football team
El Salvador's national football team represents El Salvador in international football and is sanctioned by the Federación Salvadoreña de Fútbol . In 1899, Santa Ana and San Salvador met for the first hosted football game in El Salvador...
on 17 August 2005.
During the 2006 FIFA World cup qualification campaign
2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for South America. 10 teams took part, all in a single group. The rules were very simple: the teams would play against each other in a home-and-away basis, with the four teams with most points qualifying to...
Valdez scored after 64 minutes in a 1–0 away win against Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
on 8 October 2005. Paraguay finished fourth with 28 points as Valdez was selected for the final 23 man squad for the tournament where he was handed the number 18 shirt. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
, Valdez started in Paraguay's opening Group B clash against England which they lost 1–0. After a solid performance from Valdez against Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
in the second game Paraguay would lose 1–0 after 89 minutes and be eliminated from the tournament. Valdez would play 66 minutes of Paraguay's final group stage fixture against Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago national football team
The Trinidad and Tobago national football team, nicknamed The Soca Warriors, is the national team of Trinidad and Tobago and is run by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. It reached the first round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals...
, which they won 2–0, as he was replaced by Nelson Cuevas.
Valdez was not included in Paraguay's squad for the 2007 Copa America in Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, however, a few months later he took part in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)
The South American zone of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw 10 teams competing for places in the finals which were held in South Africa. The format is identical to that used for the previous three World Cup qualification tournaments held by CONMEBOL...
, he opened his goal scoring account in round two of the qualifiers scoring in a 1–0 win against Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
on 7 October 2007. Paraguay were undefeated until round six where they had lost 4–2 against Bolivia
Bolivia national football team
The Bolivia national football team is the national team of Bolivia and is controlled by the Federación Boliviana de Fútbol. After playing in the 1930 and 1950 World Cups, they qualified just once—in 1994...
in La Paz
La Paz
Nuestra Señora de La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, as well as the departmental capital of the La Paz Department, and the second largest city in the country after Santa Cruz de la Sierra...
, Valdez scored his third goal of the qualifiers. On 9 September 2009, in Asunción
Asunción
Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.The "Ciudad de Asunción" is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San...
in round 16 of the qualifiers Haedo Valdez scored after 27 minutes of the first half to give Paraguay a 1–0 lead against Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
, who were coached by Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
at the time, Paraguay won the game 1–0 and qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
. Paraguay finished the campaign in third spot, behind Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
and Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
, with 33 points as Valdez had scored five times in 17 appearances.
Valdez was selected in the 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
. Paraguay were grouped with Slovakia
Slovakia national football team
The Slovakia national football team represents Slovakia in association football and is controlled by the Slovak Football Association , the governing body for football in Slovakia. Slovakia's home stadium is Štadión Pasienky and their head coach is Vladimír Weiss...
, New Zealand and Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
, Valdez participated in all three matches as Paraguay finished top of the group with five points. In the round of 16 Paraguay faced Japan
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
where they drew 0–0 after extra-time
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
, Valdez replaced Édgar Benítez
Edgar Benítez
Édgar Milciades Benítez Santander , nicknamed Pájaro is a Paraguayan football forward. He currently plays for Cerro Porteño in the Paraguayan Primera División.-Club:...
after 60 minutes and played until extra-time had finished. The match was decided by a Penalty shootout, Valdez converted his, and Paraguay's fourth, spot kick and eventually won the shootout 5–3. Paraguay faced Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
in the quarter-finals, during the first-half Valdez scored past Iker Casillas
Íker Casillas
Iker Casillas Fernández is a Spanish football goalkeeper who plays for the Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, being the captain of both...
but had the goal ruled out as offside. Paraguay eventually lost the game 1–0.
He was selected in the squad for the 2011 Copa América
2011 Copa América
The 2011 Campeonato Sudamericano Copa América, better known as the 2011 Copa América or the Copa América Argentina 2011, was the 43rd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for national teams in South America...
where Paraguay had been drawn in Group B
2011 Copa América Group B
The Group B of the 2011 Copa América was one of the three groups of competing nations in the 2011 Copa América. It comprised Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Venezuela. Group play began on July 3 and ended on July 13....
with Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
, Ecuardor
Ecuador national football team
The Ecuadorian national football team represents Ecuador in international football competitions and is controlled by the Ecuadorian Football Federation. They generally play official home matches at Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito, but often play friendlies in other stadiums around the country...
and Venezuela
Venezuela national football team
The Venezuela national football team is the national football team of Venezuela and is controlled by the Federación Venezolana de Fútbol. It is nicknamed La Vinotinto , because of the traditional burgundy color of their shirts....
. In Paraguay's opening group stage fixture on 3 July 2011 Haedo Valdez was substituted onto the field on 73 minutes for Lucas Barrios
Lucas Barrios
Lucas Ramón Barrios Cáceres is an Argentine-born Paraguayan footballer. He currently plays as a striker for Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga. Barrios is known for his effectiveness in the target area...
as Paraguay drew 0–0 with Ecuador. On 9 July 2011, Paraguay faced Brazil when Valdez was substituted onto the field on 56 minutes for a yellow carded Lucas Barrios while Paraguay were drawing 1–1 with Brazil. Valdez then scored a goal on 66 minutes as Paraguay took the lead to 2–1. Brazil eventually levelled the score on 89 minutes as the game finished at 2–2.
Personal life
Haedo Valdez provides his birthplace, San Joaquin, with £8,285 per month and buys 1,500 children presents every ChristmasChristmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
. San Joaquin depends on Valdez as he provides the people with a better chance than he ever had.
Valdez once, gun in hand, chased off thieves stealing his car and ran into his blazing home to save his dog.
Club
Werder Bremen- BundesligaFußball-BundesligaThe Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
: 1- Winner: 2003–04 Fußball-Bundesliga
- DFB-PokalDFB-PokalThe DFB-Pokal or DFB Cup is a German knockout football cup competition held annually. 64 teams participate in the competition, including all clubs from the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga. It is considered the second most important national title in German football after the Bundesliga...
: 1- Winner: 2003–04 DFB-Pokal