Arias and Sol remember Waldo

Ricardo Arias and Juan Cruz Sol shared many moments with Waldo Machado, and the two club ambassadors remembered the late striker following his death on Monday at the age of 84.

"I remember my debut for Valencia CF, against Sevilla FC," recalls Sol. "I was the number 8 and I was behind Guillot, Waldo, Sánchez Lage and Poli. What a strikeforce that was! I have fantastic memories of Waldo in every sense. Besides his sensational footballing talent, he was a very good person, a straightforward person and very affable. All of us who played alongside him and spent time with him are going to miss him a lot."

Ricardo Arias' initial experience with Waldo came before he entered the VCF Academy, as the Brazilian was his coach at Benimar.

"It's a huge blow for us. We knew that Waldo was in a delicate situation recently, but you always think that things will get better. His time came and it's a massive loss. I first met him when I was 12 years old, and we had a very close relationship; I loved him like a father. Waldo was very strong, and everything he did for Valencia CF came from the heart. He loved football and he loved Valencia CF."

"We have a lot at stake in the game against Real Betis on Thursday. We want to celebrate the Centenary with Valencia CF reaching a final, and for Waldo it would also be very important. I'm sure that he is spurring us on."