Fede Valverde gave a revealing and personal interview to Terapia Picante, touching on everything from controversial moments on the pitch to his relationship with former Real Madrid coaches and his own evolution as a player.
The Uruguayan laughed when discussing the power behind his shot—something that has occasionally had unintended consequences.
“I’ve injured a goalkeeper or two. I injured Luca Zidane’s shoulder. I was devastated, I thought they were going to fire me. I injured Zidane’s son. Some
goalkeepers have been injured by my shots. Shoulder injuries, mostly. I have really skinny legs, I don’t know where I get them from,”
Valverde also revisited one of the most talked-about moments of his career—his red-card tackle on Álvaro Morata in the Spanish Super Cup.
“My tackle on Morata in the Super Cup? It’s not an image for children. But at that moment I felt I had to take the risk for the team. I knew I was going to get sent off. Many times I’ve thought, ‘Whoa!’ like you bite your tongue and say, ‘I’ll pick you up and see you later!’ I’m Uruguayan, sometimes things get out of hand, but I did what I had to do. I was only thinking that Real Madrid had to win. I’m South American, we’re hot-blooded,”
The 25-year-old also reflected on how his identity as a player has changed over time, from a skinny, energetic youngster to the powerful presence he is today.
“I was very skinny, thin. I ran a lot and moved all over the place. One of my trainers called me ‘little bird.’ My father didn’t like it, but he was the only one who didn’t see it. Now I’m ‘the hawk,’ because I’m a bit more aggressive. But I’m still ‘little bird.'”
Valverde highlighted one of the most memorable performances of his career—his standout display against Manchester City, where everything seemed to fall into place.
“Everything went my way against City. I never thought I could score three goals. It was incredible. Those are 50 unforgettable minutes of my career. The best part was feeling the fans’ support. The day before, I told my wife I hoped I’d score, but three goals? Unthinkable.”
He also spoke warmly about Zinedine Zidane, crediting the French legend for helping him grow both professionally and personally.
“Zidane helped me develop that character. He gave me tranquility and peace of mind, knowing that things would work out for me. The fact that he would ask about my wife and children on a daily basis made me very happy.”
And when discussing Carlo Ancelotti, Valverde’s admiration was equally clear, describing the Italian coach as a transformative figure in his career.
“Ancelotti made me believe in myself. He’s like family to me. I love him very much. I hope I can meet him again someday. The way he made us feel every day. That hunger and that desire to win. Ancelotti is the most complete.”
