Real Madrid: Ranking the 5 best under-25 players heading into 2021-22

2. FEDERICO VALVERDE

There is no doubt that the two players on the top two spots are tremendously talented and are on their way towards having a certain future with Real Madrid. The first among them, bagging the second spot in this list is our young Uruguayan, Federico Valverde.

Valverde has been instrumental for Real Madrid this season. Arguably, he was the club’s best midfielder outside Madrid’s holy trinity of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Carlos Casemiro. He was the immediate replacement Zinedine Zidane looked towards whenever one of our old guards needed any rotation or whenever, he needed more energy and creativity on the pitch. And, Valverde didn’t disappoint.

He ended his season with the club registering four goal contributions in form of three goals and an assist. That could sound like a below-average record but stats often overshadow what the player meant for his team on the pitch. His performances from the year’s Clasicos and that second leg quarter-final fixture at Anfield in the Champions League that he played through an injury come to mind.

Valverde has proved himself and almost certainly has cemented a future midfield spot. At just 22 years of age, his discipline on the ball is admirable. He stands out especially in his ball carrying and distribution through sharp short passes. He makes space for himself and exploits it well. He is that thrust of energy that Real Madrid needed more than often this past season and for being such a key to their campaign, he rightfully bags the second spot.