Federico Valverde is set to face Rayo Vallecano, the team against which he played his last match as a right-back for Real Madrid. That period marked the end of a crisis during Xabi Alonso’s tenure. The upcoming Saturday clash holds special memories for the Uruguayan, who transitioned from frustration over his position to full stability in his natural midfield role, becoming a key figure in José Mourinho’s plans, according to a report by Marca.
The Beginning of the Crisis
The story began with injuries that hit Real Madrid, forcing Alonso to rely on Valverde at right-back due to the absences of Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Initially, Valverde accepted the task reluctantly, but his patience eventually wore thin. The crisis erupted before the Champions League match against Kairat Almaty when he spoke openly about his struggles in defense.
In a press conference, Valverde said: “I was not born to play as a full-back, nor was I raised learning to play in that position. Due to an emergency, I found myself playing there.” His comments prompted a swift reaction from Alonso, who benched Valverde for the next match, with Asencio taking over at right-back.
The Night in Kazakhstan
Everything became a talking point within Real Madrid, and the spotlight was on Valverde during the warm-up before the match in Kazakhstan. The Uruguayan appeared cold, with his hands behind his back, and did not even come on as a substitute—the only Champions League match all season in which he did not appear. This was an exception in a season where Valverde played in all other matches, including a hat-trick performance against Manchester City.
End of the Assignment
With Álvaro Arbeloa’s arrival as coach in January, Valverde’s deployment at right-back gradually decreased, until he played his last match in that position against Rayo. In total, he made 16 appearances as a right-back before that chapter of his career closed, though the effects of the experience took time to fade. Valverde had fulfilled the role out of loyalty to the Real Madrid shirt, but he never hid where he truly felt like a footballer.
Mourinho’s Revival
The scene changed completely with Mourinho. Valverde returned to his natural midfield position and became one of the coach’s most important pillars, starting in all matches this season so far. Mourinho not only restored him to his preferred environment but also gave him clear confidence as a key part of his project, allowing the player to show a completely different side from when he was forced to play as a full-back. Valverde has also contributed offensively, scoring against Inter to reaffirm his value in the new Real Madrid setup.
Reconciliation with Tchouameni
In a recent press conference, Mourinho addressed any doubts about the relationship between Valverde and Aurélien Tchouameni following their altercation last season. The Portuguese coach said: “They did everything, and I did nothing. If I had arrived in the locker room without knowing anything, I would have thought they were close friends.” He added: “When I arrived and Tchouameni returned from the World Cup, I was attentive to see if I needed to intervene as a peacemaker, but I did nothing. All the credit goes to the players.”