Valero Rivera receives the distinction of Honorary Member of the Handball Section
Valero Rivera is one of the greats who best exemplify the multi-sport dimension of FC Barcelona, and as such, he has been awarded the distinction of Honorary Member of the Handball Section. In accordance with Article 17 of the club's statutes, the former player and coach of FC Barcelona was honored during the Assembly of Delegates, with 360 votes in favor, 10 against, and 7 abstentions.
More than 30 years at Barça
His career as a first-team player spanned from 1972 to 1983, following several years in the youth system. As a player, he won eight titles, but his legend was built from the sidelines. After retiring, he took the reins of the team as a coach, followed by two decades (1984-2004) that are the most glorious in the section's history.
Most successful coach
With a generation that is unlikely to be repeated, the so-called Dream Team, Rivera won the club's first Handball European Cup in the 1990/91 season, before an impressive five consecutive continental titles from 1995 to 2000. In addition to the six Champions League, he won an astonishing total of 64 additional titles, bringing his overall total to 70 titles, more than any coach in the entire history of FC Barcelona.
Top honours
His coaching record is as follows: 6 Champions League titles, 12 ASOBAL Leagues, 10 Copa del Rey titles, 5 European Cup Winners' Cups, 5 European Supercups, 1 EHF Cup, 5 ASOBAL Cups, 11 Spanish Supercups, 9 Catalan Leagues, and 6 Pyrenean Leagues.