[1] Football began taking root in the city in the late 1890s, and soon it gained followers among members belonging to the gym, by virtue of being an outdoor activity.

[6] In the following season, however, Valdés played a crucial role in Barça's first-ever title, the 1901–02 Copa Macaya, being a solid physical presence in the midfield and starting in the tournament's final matchday on 23 March 1902 in a 15–0 victory over his former club.

Back then, it was impossible to live exclusively out of football, and in Valdés' case, his source of income came from his tobacconist on La Rambla.

In 1905 he received state permission to practice as a lottery, as well as a tobacconist, and thus, in 1905, he founded the Loteria Valdés at 95 La Rambla de Barcelona.

[8] Soon the cramped shop became the unofficial home of the young FC Barcelona, where players, fans, and members of the Board came to chat after dinner.

The lottery administration did not close until one in the morning, to take advantage of the euphoria of the wealthy spectators of the Liceu when leaving the night function.

In addition, the lottery safe played a key role in the running of the club: it housed the expensive leather foot-balls imported from Great Britain.