Where does Fede Valverde rank among the best young midfielders in the world right now?
Real Madrid midfielder, Federico Valverde, recently was awarded the La Liga Player of the Month for September after having a flying start to the 2021-22 season. The Uruguayan International picked off from where he left last season by assisting Vinicius’ winning goal in the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool. The September Player of the Month from the Spanish League was rightfully awarded to him after he assisted the winner against Real Betis, scored the equalizer against RCD Mallorca, and netted the winner against Real Madrid’s neighbourhood rivals Atletico Madrid.
Fede Valverde joined Real Madrid in Jule of 2016 and was assigned to the Real Madrid Castilla team after his transfer from Uruguayan outfit Penarol. Under the then-Castilla coach Santiago Solari, Valverde became a regular member of the starting lineup and showed tremendous potential to become a midfield maestro in the future. These were the manager’s words for the young star:
"“I’m very happy with him. He has adapted very well to the club and country. Valverde always generates a lot of football in midfield.”"
When he came back to Real Madrid after a season-long loan at Deportivo La Coruna, it was manager Julen Lopetegui who was greatly impressed by the young Uruguayan and promoted him to the first-team in 2018.
Lopetegui left and Zinedine Zidane came back home 2019. The departure of Marcos Llorente to rivals Atletico Madrid played a huge part in the breakthrough of Fede Valverde in first-team duties the same year.
Under the French manager, Valverde started to become a key member of the squad and demonstrated his exemplary work rate along with lethal attacking instincts as he imposed himself as ‘a superstar in the making.’
His unforgettable performance in the 2020 Supercopa De Espana final against Atletico Madrid earned him praise even from the opponent manager, Diego Simeone as he termed Valverde’s professional foul on Alvaro Morata when he was through on goal as “the most important play of the game.”
Fede Valverde now has become an influential member of the Real Madrid squad and no doubt he’s here to stay after his recent contract extension until 2027. A true Madridista by heart and a leader on the pitch — Fede Valverde is living a dream.
Here in this article, we take a look at where ‘El Halcon’ stands among the best young midfielders in the world right now:
5. Eduardo Camavinga
On the deadline day of August 2021, the then-18-year-old French midfielder, Eduardo Camavinga signed for Real Madrid after the club failed in their quest to sign Kylian Mbappe. Since his arrival in Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti has been sharpening and blending the Frenchman’s youthful skills with the efficiency of Real’s veteran midfield as the Italian manager prepares Camavinga to replace one from the iconic duo of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the near future.
Having a difficult childhood in a refugee camp at Cabinda in Angola, Eduardo Camavinga joined the youth ranks of Stade Rennes — hailed for their highly talented prospects over the years graduated from the academy. He became an influential member of Stade Rennes’ before attracting interest from big European clubs like Real Madrid, Paris-Saint-Germain and Barcelona.
Camavinga’s ball-carrying capabilities, defensive prowess and ability to quickly transition from defence to attack is what bedazzled fans and clubs alike before Real Madrid snapped up his signature.
Since joining the European Champions, Camavinga has played arm-in-arm with our topic of interest here, Fede Valverde and is in serious contention to become a long-term replacement for Toni Kroos because of his foresight in passing along with his aggressiveness in defending.
The youngster’s gameplay is improving tremendously day by day and Real’s systematic handling of young talents to slowly replace the old guard will prove favourable for the Frenchman as he is set to become the next big thing from France.