Fede Valverde’s midfield return capped by first goal and baby celebration | OneFootball

Fede Valverde marked his return to midfield with his first goal of the season in minute 30 against Real Sociedad, then celebrated with a baby gesture hinting at family news.

The Uruguayan, 27, took Álvaro Carreras’s pass and guided a right foot shot past Remiro for the game’s third. It arrived on matchday 24, his longest wait to open his account, excluding 2018-19 and 2021-22 when he did not score. He has often filled in at right-back this campaign.

He later explained on social media that he and partner Mina Bonino are expecting their third child, after Benicio, born in 2020, and Bautista in 2023. His post linked the third goal to the third baby and ended with Hala Madrid. Vinicius replied with six red hearts.

Injuries to Carvajal and Trent pushed him to right-back for stretches of this campaign. Ancelotti once challenged him to reach 10, and he answered with 12 goals and seven assists in 2022-23. He also supplied the cross for Vinicius’s winner in the 2021-22 Champions League final.

He completed 39 of 42 passes, 14 in the final third, and made three recoveries.

Withdrawn on minute 73, he greeted staff and team-mates, then kicked a cooler in frustration, later clarifying it stemmed from not shooting.

Now a captain, he has spoken of a hard year and feeling responsible when results dip. He says those spells have forced growth and change, and that the team are winning again and in better rhythm.

Source: AS