Player Profile
Federico Santiago Valverde Dipetta (Spanish pronunciation: [feðeˈɾiko βalˈβeɾðe]; born 22 July 1998) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club Real Madrid and the Uruguay national team. Known for his versatility, work rate, pace and shooting, he is considered as one of the best midfielders in the world. Valverde mainly plays as a central midfielder but is also able to play as a right-back. Valverde began his professional career with Peñarol in 2015, winning the Uruguayan Primera División in his first season. In 2016, he joined Real Madrid, initially playing for the club's reserve team. He made his first-team debut in 2017 and has since gone on to make over 300 appearances for the club, winning three La Liga titles, two FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Champions League titles, two UEFA Super Cups, and the Copa del Rey. Valverde made his international debut for Uruguay in 2017, and has since represented his country at three Copa América tournaments (2019, 2021, 2024) and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Bio
Club Career
Iconic Moments
Valverde was one of Real Madrid's best performers in their 2022 Champions League winning campaign, running the full width of the pitch to make a crucial tackle in the semi-final.
His lung-busting recovery tackle in the semi-final against Manchester City epitomized the energy and determination that makes Valverde one of the world's best box-to-box midfielders.
Valverde was a crucial contributor to Real Madrid's 2023/24 La Liga and Champions League double.
Established as one of the world's best box-to-box midfielders, combining relentless energy with technical quality and big-game goals.
Won two Champions League titles with Real Madrid (2022, 2024), covering more ground than any midfielder in Europe.
Became one of the most complete midfielders in world football, equally dangerous defending and attacking.
Made a famous tactical foul on Álvaro Morata in the 2020 Supercopa final, preventing a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
An iconic moment of competitive ruthlessness that earned praise from coaches and became a cultural reference.