It is funny to look back on Federico Valverde’s early days in Montevideo and think the biggest criticism of him back then was his reluctance to run. Arsenal tried to beat Real Madrid to the punch by getting him out of Penarol, even using Alexis Sanchez to try to facilitate a move. What he did so well the masses might not always have appreciated, but he was an essential cog in the team. Valverde is in the prime of his career and finds himself routinely showered in superlatives and praise reserved for the highest echelon of footballing superstars. A decade after arriving from Montevideo, the Little Bird - so-called because of his slight frame as a teenager - has truly spread his wings.

Source: Metro March 13, 2026 03:03 UTC