Real Madrid fitness coach hails Valverde for heartwarming gesture after goal vs Celta Vigo | OneFootball

Real Madrid left it late to secure a narrow 2-1 win over Celta Vigo, which keeps them in the title race after a series of disappointing results.

The Spanish giants looked to have headed for yet another draw against Vigo. But an injury-time winner from Federico Valverde saw Alvaro Arbeloa’s men steal three points.

Thanks to the win, Real Madrid are just a point away from league leaders Barcelona, who will take on Athletic Club tonight.

Pintus lauds Valverde for dedicating the goal

Although Valverde celebrated normally after scoring the late winner, he was sure to meet Real Madrid’s fitness coach, Antonio Pintus and offer him support after the demise of his mother.

The Real Madrid midfielder, who was nominated for a La Liga award for February, even hugged Pintus after the match, for his tragic loss, as revealed by the coach himself.

Pintus revealed the story on Instagram, publishing an image where Valverde can be clearly seen hugging him.

He thanked the Uruguayan international by calling him a gentleman and a fantastic player on the pitch.

Source: Instagram

“Fede Valverde hugged me after the goal for my mother’s passing. Fede, you’re a real gentleman and a fantastic player,” Pintus wrote on his Instagram story.

Bringing in Pintus was one of the most noticeable changes new coach Alvaro Arbeloa had made since being appointed as the successor to Xabi Alonso.

Under Alonso, the squad suffered from recurring muscle problems and looked physically flat. Pintus was immediately put back in charge of daily training sessions, intense fitness tests, and the famous “Pintus Method”

Pintus was the physical coach during four of Real Madrid’s last five Champions League titles (under Zidane and Ancelotti).

He is widely credited with keeping veterans like Modrić, Benzema, and Kroos in peak condition for years and helping the team peak at the right moments in big competitions