Adored by the Real Madrid faithful and a nightmare for opponents, Federico Valverde has scaled club football’s greatest summits with Los Blancos. Having embraced life in the Spanish capital, the tireless Uruguayan now has his sights set on repeat European glory...
It was incredible. You’re aware that you’re going to be playing the most important game in your life at club level. Seeing your family cry over such a moment in football or seeing the fans as happy as they were… it makes you so proud and happy.
It isn’t every day that you get the chance to play in a Champions League final so when the game starts, you do feel the pressure. You’ve got to keep calm, play the way you know, think a lot about your family and then give your best to help the team.
He asked me to help Dani Carvajal with Andy Robertson, because he was going to attack a lot. I was asked to try and help out almost like a fifth defender. He also asked me to try to counter-attack and get into their box because there was lots of space on the right flank.
Mentally he told me to keep calm and savour the moment. I’ll always be grateful to him because you need those bits of advice.
It was a cross-shot. When it ends up in the net, you forget how it all happened – whether it was good or bad. Once I made it into the box, I saw Carvajal overlapping me on my right, and I tried to shoot at goal aiming for the far post. I didn’t get the best connection on the ball, but it ended up in the net.
I tried to make the most out of it. I tried to getaway from it with my family – I tried to hide away with my wife, my parents, my siblings. I thought about my son and video-called my family.
A lot. In the end, all of the hard work paid off. Not only for me but also my parents, who were always there when I was only a child, dreaming of becoming someone. It’s really amazing to represent my family but also the whole of Uruguay.
When you’re born, there’s a football there waiting for you. It’s really amazing how passionate people are; football in Uruguay is experienced in a very special way.
It’s not just me, my whole family feels it: whenever my wife, parents or son go to the stadium, they’re warmly welcomed. They even ask my son for more photos than me sometimes! I’ve always been treated well, with respect and a lot of affection. I try to thank them by running hard and giving my all.
I think it comes naturally: running, giving it my all. I always say that Uruguayan players try to give more than they can. Even if I’m exhausted, I try to keep on running for the sake of my team. I see my team-mates as my brothers on the pitch.
It’s a bit of a strange one, to be honest. They called me that when I was a kid so I just accepted it, but my dad didn’t like it at all. So once they changed my nickname to El Halcón [The Falcon]… well, I went with it! It was an important mentality-shifter. Mentally you feel slightly stronger, and it helped me a lot.
We want to win it; it’s our favourite trophy. As Roberto Carlos said once, I think we take on a different spirit when we see the ball covered with stars. So you have to fight to win and bring the trophy home again.
Adored by the Real Madrid faithful and a nightmare for opponents, Federico Valverde has scaled club football’s greatest summits with Los Blancos. Having embraced life in the Spanish capital, the tireless Uruguayan now has his sights set on repeat European glory...
It was incredible. You’re aware that you’re going to be playing the most important game in your life at club level. Seeing your family cry over such a moment in football or seeing the fans as happy as they were… it makes you so proud and happy.
It isn’t every day that you get the chance to play in a Champions League final so when the game starts, you do feel the pressure. You’ve got to keep calm, play the way you know, think a lot about your family and then give your best to help the team.
He asked me to help Dani Carvajal with Andy Robertson, because he was going to attack a lot. I was asked to try and help out almost like a fifth defender. He also asked me to try to counter-attack and get into their box because there was lots of space on the right flank.
Mentally he told me to keep calm and savour the moment. I’ll always be grateful to him because you need those bits of advice.
It was a cross-shot. When it ends up in the net, you forget how it all happened – whether it was good or bad. Once I made it into the box, I saw Carvajal overlapping me on my right, and I tried to shoot at goal aiming for the far post. I didn’t get the best connection on the ball, but it ended up in the net.
I tried to make the most out of it. I tried to getaway from it with my family – I tried to hide away with my wife, my parents, my siblings. I thought about my son and video-called my family.
A lot. In the end, all of the hard work paid off. Not only for me but also my parents, who were always there when I was only a child, dreaming of becoming someone. It’s really amazing to represent my family but also the whole of Uruguay.
When you’re born, there’s a football there waiting for you. It’s really amazing how passionate people are; football in Uruguay is experienced in a very special way.
It’s not just me, my whole family feels it: whenever my wife, parents or son go to the stadium, they’re warmly welcomed. They even ask my son for more photos than me sometimes! I’ve always been treated well, with respect and a lot of affection. I try to thank them by running hard and giving my all.
I think it comes naturally: running, giving it my all. I always say that Uruguayan players try to give more than they can. Even if I’m exhausted, I try to keep on running for the sake of my team. I see my team-mates as my brothers on the pitch.
It’s a bit of a strange one, to be honest. They called me that when I was a kid so I just accepted it, but my dad didn’t like it at all. So once they changed my nickname to El Halcón [The Falcon]… well, I went with it! It was an important mentality-shifter. Mentally you feel slightly stronger, and it helped me a lot.
We want to win it; it’s our favourite trophy. As Roberto Carlos said once, I think we take on a different spirit when we see the ball covered with stars. So you have to fight to win and bring the trophy home again.
Adored by the Real Madrid faithful and a nightmare for opponents, Federico Valverde has scaled club football’s greatest summits with Los Blancos. Having embraced life in the Spanish capital, the tireless Uruguayan now has his sights set on repeat European glory...
It was incredible. You’re aware that you’re going to be playing the most important game in your life at club level. Seeing your family cry over such a moment in football or seeing the fans as happy as they were… it makes you so proud and happy.
It isn’t every day that you get the chance to play in a Champions League final so when the game starts, you do feel the pressure. You’ve got to keep calm, play the way you know, think a lot about your family and then give your best to help the team.
He asked me to help Dani Carvajal with Andy Robertson, because he was going to attack a lot. I was asked to try and help out almost like a fifth defender. He also asked me to try to counter-attack and get into their box because there was lots of space on the right flank.
Mentally he told me to keep calm and savour the moment. I’ll always be grateful to him because you need those bits of advice.
It was a cross-shot. When it ends up in the net, you forget how it all happened – whether it was good or bad. Once I made it into the box, I saw Carvajal overlapping me on my right, and I tried to shoot at goal aiming for the far post. I didn’t get the best connection on the ball, but it ended up in the net.
I tried to make the most out of it. I tried to getaway from it with my family – I tried to hide away with my wife, my parents, my siblings. I thought about my son and video-called my family.
A lot. In the end, all of the hard work paid off. Not only for me but also my parents, who were always there when I was only a child, dreaming of becoming someone. It’s really amazing to represent my family but also the whole of Uruguay.
When you’re born, there’s a football there waiting for you. It’s really amazing how passionate people are; football in Uruguay is experienced in a very special way.
It’s not just me, my whole family feels it: whenever my wife, parents or son go to the stadium, they’re warmly welcomed. They even ask my son for more photos than me sometimes! I’ve always been treated well, with respect and a lot of affection. I try to thank them by running hard and giving my all.
I think it comes naturally: running, giving it my all. I always say that Uruguayan players try to give more than they can. Even if I’m exhausted, I try to keep on running for the sake of my team. I see my team-mates as my brothers on the pitch.
It’s a bit of a strange one, to be honest. They called me that when I was a kid so I just accepted it, but my dad didn’t like it at all. So once they changed my nickname to El Halcón [The Falcon]… well, I went with it! It was an important mentality-shifter. Mentally you feel slightly stronger, and it helped me a lot.
We want to win it; it’s our favourite trophy. As Roberto Carlos said once, I think we take on a different spirit when we see the ball covered with stars. So you have to fight to win and bring the trophy home again.
Adored by the Real Madrid faithful and a nightmare for opponents, Federico Valverde has scaled club football’s greatest summits with Los Blancos. Having embraced life in the Spanish capital, the tireless Uruguayan now has his sights set on repeat European glory...
It was incredible. You’re aware that you’re going to be playing the most important game in your life at club level. Seeing your family cry over such a moment in football or seeing the fans as happy as they were… it makes you so proud and happy.
It isn’t every day that you get the chance to play in a Champions League final so when the game starts, you do feel the pressure. You’ve got to keep calm, play the way you know, think a lot about your family and then give your best to help the team.
He asked me to help Dani Carvajal with Andy Robertson, because he was going to attack a lot. I was asked to try and help out almost like a fifth defender. He also asked me to try to counter-attack and get into their box because there was lots of space on the right flank.
Mentally he told me to keep calm and savour the moment. I’ll always be grateful to him because you need those bits of advice.
It was a cross-shot. When it ends up in the net, you forget how it all happened – whether it was good or bad. Once I made it into the box, I saw Carvajal overlapping me on my right, and I tried to shoot at goal aiming for the far post. I didn’t get the best connection on the ball, but it ended up in the net.
I tried to make the most out of it. I tried to getaway from it with my family – I tried to hide away with my wife, my parents, my siblings. I thought about my son and video-called my family.
A lot. In the end, all of the hard work paid off. Not only for me but also my parents, who were always there when I was only a child, dreaming of becoming someone. It’s really amazing to represent my family but also the whole of Uruguay.
When you’re born, there’s a football there waiting for you. It’s really amazing how passionate people are; football in Uruguay is experienced in a very special way.
It’s not just me, my whole family feels it: whenever my wife, parents or son go to the stadium, they’re warmly welcomed. They even ask my son for more photos than me sometimes! I’ve always been treated well, with respect and a lot of affection. I try to thank them by running hard and giving my all.
I think it comes naturally: running, giving it my all. I always say that Uruguayan players try to give more than they can. Even if I’m exhausted, I try to keep on running for the sake of my team. I see my team-mates as my brothers on the pitch.
It’s a bit of a strange one, to be honest. They called me that when I was a kid so I just accepted it, but my dad didn’t like it at all. So once they changed my nickname to El Halcón [The Falcon]… well, I went with it! It was an important mentality-shifter. Mentally you feel slightly stronger, and it helped me a lot.
We want to win it; it’s our favourite trophy. As Roberto Carlos said once, I think we take on a different spirit when we see the ball covered with stars. So you have to fight to win and bring the trophy home again.
Adored by the Real Madrid faithful and a nightmare for opponents, Federico Valverde has scaled club football’s greatest summits with Los Blancos. Having embraced life in the Spanish capital, the tireless Uruguayan now has his sights set on repeat European glory...
It was incredible. You’re aware that you’re going to be playing the most important game in your life at club level. Seeing your family cry over such a moment in football or seeing the fans as happy as they were… it makes you so proud and happy.
It isn’t every day that you get the chance to play in a Champions League final so when the game starts, you do feel the pressure. You’ve got to keep calm, play the way you know, think a lot about your family and then give your best to help the team.
He asked me to help Dani Carvajal with Andy Robertson, because he was going to attack a lot. I was asked to try and help out almost like a fifth defender. He also asked me to try to counter-attack and get into their box because there was lots of space on the right flank.
Mentally he told me to keep calm and savour the moment. I’ll always be grateful to him because you need those bits of advice.
It was a cross-shot. When it ends up in the net, you forget how it all happened – whether it was good or bad. Once I made it into the box, I saw Carvajal overlapping me on my right, and I tried to shoot at goal aiming for the far post. I didn’t get the best connection on the ball, but it ended up in the net.
I tried to make the most out of it. I tried to getaway from it with my family – I tried to hide away with my wife, my parents, my siblings. I thought about my son and video-called my family.
A lot. In the end, all of the hard work paid off. Not only for me but also my parents, who were always there when I was only a child, dreaming of becoming someone. It’s really amazing to represent my family but also the whole of Uruguay.
When you’re born, there’s a football there waiting for you. It’s really amazing how passionate people are; football in Uruguay is experienced in a very special way.
It’s not just me, my whole family feels it: whenever my wife, parents or son go to the stadium, they’re warmly welcomed. They even ask my son for more photos than me sometimes! I’ve always been treated well, with respect and a lot of affection. I try to thank them by running hard and giving my all.
I think it comes naturally: running, giving it my all. I always say that Uruguayan players try to give more than they can. Even if I’m exhausted, I try to keep on running for the sake of my team. I see my team-mates as my brothers on the pitch.
It’s a bit of a strange one, to be honest. They called me that when I was a kid so I just accepted it, but my dad didn’t like it at all. So once they changed my nickname to El Halcón [The Falcon]… well, I went with it! It was an important mentality-shifter. Mentally you feel slightly stronger, and it helped me a lot.
We want to win it; it’s our favourite trophy. As Roberto Carlos said once, I think we take on a different spirit when we see the ball covered with stars. So you have to fight to win and bring the trophy home again.
Adored by the Real Madrid faithful and a nightmare for opponents, Federico Valverde has scaled club football’s greatest summits with Los Blancos. Having embraced life in the Spanish capital, the tireless Uruguayan now has his sights set on repeat European glory...
It was incredible. You’re aware that you’re going to be playing the most important game in your life at club level. Seeing your family cry over such a moment in football or seeing the fans as happy as they were… it makes you so proud and happy.
It isn’t every day that you get the chance to play in a Champions League final so when the game starts, you do feel the pressure. You’ve got to keep calm, play the way you know, think a lot about your family and then give your best to help the team.
He asked me to help Dani Carvajal with Andy Robertson, because he was going to attack a lot. I was asked to try and help out almost like a fifth defender. He also asked me to try to counter-attack and get into their box because there was lots of space on the right flank.
Mentally he told me to keep calm and savour the moment. I’ll always be grateful to him because you need those bits of advice.
It was a cross-shot. When it ends up in the net, you forget how it all happened – whether it was good or bad. Once I made it into the box, I saw Carvajal overlapping me on my right, and I tried to shoot at goal aiming for the far post. I didn’t get the best connection on the ball, but it ended up in the net.
I tried to make the most out of it. I tried to getaway from it with my family – I tried to hide away with my wife, my parents, my siblings. I thought about my son and video-called my family.
A lot. In the end, all of the hard work paid off. Not only for me but also my parents, who were always there when I was only a child, dreaming of becoming someone. It’s really amazing to represent my family but also the whole of Uruguay.
When you’re born, there’s a football there waiting for you. It’s really amazing how passionate people are; football in Uruguay is experienced in a very special way.
It’s not just me, my whole family feels it: whenever my wife, parents or son go to the stadium, they’re warmly welcomed. They even ask my son for more photos than me sometimes! I’ve always been treated well, with respect and a lot of affection. I try to thank them by running hard and giving my all.
I think it comes naturally: running, giving it my all. I always say that Uruguayan players try to give more than they can. Even if I’m exhausted, I try to keep on running for the sake of my team. I see my team-mates as my brothers on the pitch.
It’s a bit of a strange one, to be honest. They called me that when I was a kid so I just accepted it, but my dad didn’t like it at all. So once they changed my nickname to El Halcón [The Falcon]… well, I went with it! It was an important mentality-shifter. Mentally you feel slightly stronger, and it helped me a lot.
We want to win it; it’s our favourite trophy. As Roberto Carlos said once, I think we take on a different spirit when we see the ball covered with stars. So you have to fight to win and bring the trophy home again.
