Arsenal trial and self-doubt: Valverde's journey to Real legend
For years, Fede Valverde has been Real Madrid's unsung hero. The player who runs for everyone else, the one who fills the gaps. At the Bernabeu last Wednesday, the 27-year-old midfielder made himself the man who the headlines revolved around as his stunning hat-trick left Manchester City 3-0 down and with an improbable mountain to climb in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 second leg at the Etihad.
His first career treble - for either Real or Uruguay - ended with an improvised lap of honour and a signed match ball given to his younger son Bautista in the stadium car park as a family photo was taken with both of his children and wife Mina Bonino. It was a memory that will last a lifetime but one that has been years in the making. From failing to impress at Arsenal as a 16-year-old to doubting his own ability, how has the Uruguayan made himself a Real Madrid legend?
Most underrated player on the planet? Valverde steps up for Real Federico Valverde has scored five goals in Real Madrid's past three matches Valverde's role in the first game against City had been one of manager Alvaro Arbeloa's most important decisions. Against Jeremy Doku, he was Trent Alexander-Arnold's best friend, protecting the right-back without sacrificing his freedom to surge forward.
The plan relied on long deliveries from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into the right flank where Valverde could attack the space behind City's high line. The first goal came exactly that way. Courtois launched long, Valverde won the duel with Nico O'Reilly, drove into the area and finished.
City needed to look after Vinicius, who was mostly anonymous, but instead Madrid broke the game open through Valverde on the other side. For Arbeloa this performance was not so much a surprise. In recent weeks the coach has described Valverde as the spiritual epitome of Real Madrid, even comparing him to former player Juan Gomez - Juanito - which, at the Bernabeu, is placing a player on the highest club's altar.