“It's a dream since I arrived,” confessed Fede Valverde on May 2, 2023 when talking about the possibility of one day being captain of Real Madrid. This year, Valverde began the season as fourth captain, behind Modric, Carvajal and Lucas Vázquez. However, after Carvajal's injury, he was promoted to the position of third captain. Now, with the loss of Lucas Vázquez and the substitution of Modric in the match against Leganés, The Uruguayan will wear the captain's armband for the first time in an official Real Madrid matchpremiering in Butarque.
The bracelet is not the only novelty for Valverde today. Fede, a key piece for Ancelotti, is a versatile and essential player in the team. Always willing to fulfill any role assigned to him. The 'Pajarito' has already played up to four different positions on the pitch this season. He has acted as a defensive midfielder to cover the absences of Tchouaméni and Camavinga, as an interior on both sides, as a right winger, and today, perhaps in the most unusual way, will play as right back. However, the change in position will not prevent the Uruguayan from enjoying this day.
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It is not the first time that Valverde assumes this role. It was already starter as right back on two occasionss: in the 2021-22 season before him Villarreal in the Leagueat the beginning of the campaign, and in the 2020-21 season in Anfield, against Liverpool, during the Champions League, in Zidane's last year. Fede, however, is not the only 'unusual' player to have occupied that position in recent years. On the right side of Real Madrid, players like Militao, Vallejo, Marvin, Nacho and even Vinícius. The latter was used in an unprecedented experiment by Zidane during the Champions League semi-finals. 2020-21 against Chelseawhen defense losses forced them to try unconventional alternatives.
A special day for Fede
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Since his arrival at the club in 2016, Valverde has shown that his talent goes beyond his skill and power on the ball. Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, He always had his clear objectives: to reach the top. For Fede, signing for Real Madrid was not enough. He wanted to be more than a player on the squad; He aspired to be a role model capable of inspiring his colleagues. Today that dream has come true. With 276 games and 24 goals In his career at the club, Fede Valverde becomes the first Uruguayan captain of Real Madrid. Before him, the only Uruguayan to wear the bracelet was Jose Santamariaa strong and implacable defender who, upon becoming a Spanish national, is considered Hispanic-Uruguayan.
Far from feeling intimidated by the challenge, Valverde assumes this new role naturally, aware that leadership is not measured by names, but by actions. Already In 2022, during a friendly against América, he had the opportunity to be captainalthough not in an official match. This season, Carvajal has worn the armband six times, Modric seven and Lucas Vázquez four. Now, it is Fede's turn, who is ready to take on this challenge even if it is from the right side.
