On A Day Like Today: Bonhof bids farewell to Valencia CF

On May 18th, 1980, Rainer Bonhof played his final game for Valencia CF. The German star had a short but successful spell with the club, in which he won the Copa del Rey in 1979 and the European Cup Winners Cup in 1980, before national team coach Jupp Derwall instructed him to return to Germany to fight for his place in the 1982 World Cup. Whilst he would eventually be left out of the squad for the competition Bonhof had already reached the pinnacle of international football with his country eight years prior.

Valencia CF had paid the equivalent of 360,000 euros for Bonhof in the summer of 1978, having struck an agreement with him two years before (the player had already renewed with Borussia Mönchengladbach at the time, but kept the option to join the club open).

Bonhof scored in the European Cup Winners Cup final penalty shootout against Arsenal for his final honour with the club. His sendoff in LaLiga would be in a 3-0 loss at the Benito Villamarin against Real Betis.

In two campaigns for Valencia CF, Bonhof played 85 official matches and scored 19 goals.

The former player checked in with VCF Media on Monday, and talk inevitably turned to the current situation in Spain. He is a long-time Vice President of Borussia Mönchengladbach, who returned to action in the Bundesliga this past weekend.

"The most important thing is our health, above anything else. I understand that it's hard for the fans. We played at home behind closed doors against Koln, but we've created an initiative with photos of fans in the stands, so it seems like there are people inside the stadium -albeit without any noise. The players appreciate it and are happy; it's a fantastic idea," he explained.

"Now (in Germany) the entire squad can train together and the team will be in quarantine before and after the game. Players will have tests every three days; it's difficule, but it's all to protect their health."