Real Madrid icon’s call on midfield ace looks prophetic after CL win vs Man City: ‘So obvious’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Manchester City once again showed that the Galacticos thrive under pressure, and a certain Federico Valverde was right at the heart of it. 

The Uruguayan continues to prove why he is one of the most reliable figures regardless of who he is playing under.

Watching him perform on such a stage, it is easy to forget that his rise was spotted years ago by someone who knew exactly what he was looking at. 

Former Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf, who was on punditry duty for Amazon Prime during the clash, took the opportunity to revisit his first impression of Valverde.

What’s the story?

Seedorf’s connection with the midfielder goes back to his brief managerial spell at Deportivo de La Coruna, where Valverde spent time on loan as a teenager. 

Reflecting on that period, the Dutchman recalled the exact moment he realised he was dealing with something special.

He said, “I coached him when he was 18,” before going on to describe how quickly Valverde stood out in training. 

Valverde scored a hat-trick against Manchester City. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“In the first 15 minutes, we worked on possession, and I asked my assistant, ‘Who is that kid?’ ‘Valverde—what’s up with him?’ 

“I told him, ‘Do me a favour: put him on the starting 11 list for the next game. We’ll decide on the other 10 later.”

Seedorf did not stop there, as he went on to reveal just how clear Valverde’s ceiling was even at that early stage. 

Despite still being raw, the midfielder already possessed qualities that separated him from his peers.

“His talent was so obvious. He wasn’t what he is today, but his potential was incredible. I’m very proud of him,” he noted.

Looking at Valverde now, dictating games, covering every blade of grass and stepping up in decisive moments, Seedorf’s words feel less like praise and more like confirmation of what was always destined to happen. 

Source: Mundo Deportivo