The Barcelona stopper looks set to miss out at this summer’s showpiece event after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage in his knee.
The 32-year-old was taken off on a stretcher early in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Celta Vigo on Wednesday and his club later confirmed he had torn his ACL and will need surgery.
Having already announced he will leave the club when his contract expires in the summer, Valdes has likely played his last game for Barcelona.
“We won’t sign a goalkeeper. We will finish the season with this group,” Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said.
“I am not one to believe in bad luck, but at this stage of the season I thought everything that was to happen had already occurred. I was wrong.”
“It’s a big blow but this team has rolled with punches for some time now and we will pull through this.”
Valdes had been expected to compete with Iker Casillas for a place in the Spain goal at this year’s World Cup but is unlikely to be fit for the Brazil tournament.
