That what his manager Steve Agnew had to say.
The keeper, 35, who won everything there is to win with Barcelona and Spain before heading for Teesside, finds himself in the unaccustomed position of battling against relegation.
That process continues tomorrow when Arsenal head for the Riverside and interim head coach Agnew believes Valdes’ winning mentality is key for his side.
The Boro chief said: “We all know what Victor has achieved in the game. He’s won everything and the bigger the game is, the more he responds because his career tells you that. He’ll have a massive part to play within the team against Arsenal.”
Valdes’ domestic list of honours with Barca boasts three Champions League and six La Liga titles.
But for all his undoubted talent, Agnew insists it is his hard work on the training ground which has made him and provides a great example for his team-mates.
He added: “You don’t win and achieve like Victor Valdes has done in his career without being focused every day. He is 100 per cent committed at all times.”
Meanwhile, at 24, central defender Ben Gibson’s career is still in its formative stages, although such has been his development that a series of Premier League rivals are monitoring him should the worst happen to his home-town club.
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Agnew said: “Ben has had a terrific season and has a fantastic future. He had a recent call-up to the England squad and we are so proud of him.
“But he’s a Middlesbrough player, he’s a Middlesbrough boy and is focused on only one thing – and that’s the game against Arsenal.”
Agnew will have George Friend and Gaston Ramirez available after injury but Arsenal loanee Calum Chambers cannot play against his parent club.