Now a star at Real Madrid, Federico Valverde began his career at Peñarol and attracted the interest of top European clubs with his performances. He joined Real Madrid Castilla in 2016 before being loaned out to Deportivo La Coruña in 2017.
It was under Julen Lopetegui when Valverde broke into the first team in the 2017/18 season. But it was Zidane’s second tenure when he became a key member of the squad after Marcos Llorente’s departure.
Since then, he has just gotten better and better and has now become an integral part of the team. Last season was his best goal-scoring season, where he racked up 12 goals and 7 assists. During this career so far, he has played as a right-winger and also as a right-back when needed – and impressed when he did.
A highlight of his career has been the tackle he made on Álvaro Morata during the Spanish Super Cup final in 2020, when Morata was through on goal. Fede was sent off with a red card but his tackle was crucial and was also named the man of the match.
The tackle led to widespread praise, even from Atletico’s Diego Simeone who referred to the tackle as, “the most important play of the game”.
But this season has been a bit different for Valverde, as has been noted by Mundo Deportivo. He has played 2,336 minutes this season – most alongside Rüdiger and Rodrygo – and has lesser involvement in goals as compared to last season.
This can be explained due to the fact that he was used as a winger many times but now his role is of a pure ‘5’. With long-term injuries to Camavinga and Tchouaméni, Valverde formed a double-pivot with Toni Kroos numerous times this season.
With the return of both Frenchmen, it will not be a surprise if Ancelotti gives the Uruguayan a more attacking role. Nicknamed Halcón – meaning Falcon, in Spanish – Fede just continues to grow and grow as a player. His importance is shown by the number of minutes he has played this season.
A player that any team would love to have, he has been termed as an untouchable in the squad, and with what he brings to the team, Real Madrid are not letting go of him anytime soon.