In the 2005–06 season, Valdés helped Barça to the continental double in Europe. He played a big part in Barça's 2005–06 UEFA Champions League winning campaign and in the final against Arsenal, he denied Thierry Henry twice from point-blank range to help his side win 2-1 at the Stade de France. His efforts saw him singled out for praise from Barcelona manager at that time Frank Rijkaard. The "Zamora" title, however, eluded him, as Valdés came third after Santiago Cañizares and the winner, José Manuel Pinto.