Federico Valverde: Real Madrid star ‘the most underrated player on the planet’ against Manchester City

Valverde isn’t always a headline act for Real Madrid, but he is undoubtedly one of the team’s most versatile and reliable players. On Wednesday night, he deservedly made headlines.

This isn’t the first time he’s stepped up in big moments, either.

Last Friday, in Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Getafe, when the match was tied 1-1, he scored the winning goal in the 94th minute to keep the team’s title hopes alive.

In the 39 matches he played this season, he started 37 matches, and his versatility has impressed his coach Alvaro Arbeloa as he covers the defense and midfield positions.

Valverde covers large distances in every match, pressuring opponents, recovering the ball and pushing Real Madrid forward.

Currently, Valverde is Real Madrid’s second captain after Dani Carvajal, which is an acknowledgment of the prestige he has gained in the dressing room and the trust of the coaching staff.

The season was not easy for him.

With Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold injured for large parts of the season, the Uruguayan was forced to play at full-back, despite preferring to play as a central midfielder.

“I played in many positions,” he said on the eve of the City match. “I always try to give my best and do what the coach asks.” “I try to get forward, I try to play on the wing and defend. Sometimes I have to adapt. For me, that’s the key.”

However, there is no doubt that Valverde has found great form on the wings and with Alexander-Arnold and Carvajal back in the team, they have linked up exceptionally well.

Ironically, he told the media on Tuesday that he “want to keep the fans happy and proud.”

The senior’s first hat-trick certainly takes Los Blancos a big step closer to the quarter-finals.