Federico Valverde has been one of the most promising youngsters since his debut for Real Madrid. His ability to do everything in the midfield has made him one of the key players for Lopetegui at first, for Solari and Zidane later and finally for Ancelotti now as well. The Italian coach seems to have a great admiration for him and insists to keep him in the centre of his project.
Federico Valverde signed his contract extension at Real Madrid City, where he was joined by club president Florentino Pérez. Valverde, who joined Real Madrid's youth team in 2016-2017 from Penarol, is currently in his fourth season with the first team which, during his tenure, has won a Club World Cup, a La Liga title and a Spanish Super Cup. During the 2017-2018 season, Valverde went on loan to La Liga's Deportivo de La Coruna to get back in 2018-2019 to become a very important player and to offer a new option to a midfield that was beginning to lose power. His great performances at Real Madrid have made him also a key player in the Uruguayan National Team.
Valverde becomes thus, the latest Real Madrid player to agree terms on a new deal, putting the pen on paper for a contract extension until 2027. The 23-year-old's previous contract was set to expire in 2025, but Real Madrid have opted to tie down his long-term future at the club. In fact, Valverde's new deal means that he now has the longest contract in the squad.
Valverde joined Real Madrid back in January 2016 after waiting at Penarol until he was able to head to Spain, and after a couple of years in which he had been playing for Castilla and was sent out on loan to Deportivo La Coruna, he was given his chance to play at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Julen Lopetegui decided in the summer of 2018 that he wanted to keep Valverde in and around Real Madrid's first-team squad, but it wasn't until he was dismissed and Santiago Solari replaced him as head coach that the Uruguayan midfielder really took off. Then, under Zinedine Zidane, Valverde became a more athletic option in the middle three and even filled in at right-back, as he notably did against Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League last season.
Despite the fact that Valverde dealt with some injury problems last season, he has been in high demand and Bayern Munich had dreamt of prying him away from Real Madrid, but this contract renewal should put those rumours to bed. Valverde has already played 104 games for Real Madrid and, with the historic midfield trio of Casemiro (29), Toni Kroos (32) and Luka Modric (35) all getting older, it won't be long until he becomes the fulcrum in midfield.
The club also made an official announcement about this renewal in the website and social media: “Federico Valverde signed his contract extension at Real Madrid City, where he was joined by club president Florentino Pérez. The contract renewal ties the Uruguayan midfielder to our club until 30 June 2027. After signing the contract, he was presented with a shirt featuring his name and the number 2027 on the reverse”.
Valverde spoke to the press about this contract extension and expressed how happy he is about this. He said: “I’m very happy and proud. I’m delighted for my parents, my wife and my son because they’re the ones that are there and fight alongside me. This is a big step for my family and I and we’re able to enjoy every moment. It’s a dream come true to continue to rack up the appearances, years and, let’s hope, the titles with Real Madrid. There are no limits for me. I always try to enjoy myself and give my all, both on and off the pitch. I want to be a role model for many children and lots of people, continue to improve and try to win everything going with this team. I’m going to try and help Real Madrid to become a better team and I hope to enjoy every moment, training session and match that I play at the Bernabéu”.
Signing for Madrid: “There are no words to explain it because it was something that you never expect. I was playing for the national team and, all of a sudden, was told about it. When I told my parents, they burst into tears. It was a really special moment and it was as if I was in a dream. It didn’t sink in that the best club in the world were interested in signing me and, obviously, I didn’t think twice about it. I made the most of the opportunity and tried to put smiles on to the faces of my family members”.
Values: “To be a fighter. You have to fight for what you want to achieve, the things you dream about and aspire to achieve. I’d always dreamed of playing for the best team in the world. I’ve managed that, but you have to keep fighting and battling for what you want. Being part of this team makes you the happiest person in the world. From the day I first set foot in Valdebebas to this day, they’ll always be the best days for me and the ones I enjoyed the most and learned the most, I matured and developed as a person. I always look back on those times from the first day that I set foot here and I hope they never come to an end.
Ancelotti: “I try to learn from every bit of advice he gives me, but not only from him, from all of the coaching staff. I try to listen to them and then go out and do that on the pitch and continue to develop as a player and person. He asks me to go out and just play my game. For example, by pressing, attacking and helping out in defence. There are a lot of things and I try to do them”.
Giving his all: “I can’t put it into words. The feeling I have is that I’m going to give my heart and soul for the team, for Real Madrid and for everyone who works away all week to buy a ticket to come to the game. I keep going until I can’t give any more. That’s the way I can pay back everyone who supports us”.
Fans’ return to Bernabéu: “I always say that the fans spur you on when things are tough in a game or things aren’t going your way. That backing from everyone in the stands gives you the energy to keep on fighting, to chase after another ball or keep fighting until the very last. The fact that they’re able to return for the Celta game gives us, as a team, great joy and we’re going to really enjoy ourselves when the game comes around. We’ll try and get a win for the fans”.
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