Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde has admitted he never imagined becoming the club’s captain and revealed just how much the armband means to him.
The Uruguayan spoke to AUF TV, sharing his thoughts on the upcoming World Cup and his role at the Bernabéu.
‘When you don’t have it, you crave it’
“Wearing the armband is something incredible. I never imagined being captain for Real Madrid, and I thoroughly enjoy every opportunity to wear it,” Valverde said, having become first captain following Dani Carvajal’s departure.
“It carries some pressure too. When you don’t have it, you crave it, and when you wear it, you want a bit of peace.”
‘That hat trick meant a lot’
Valverde also explained how he felt during Real Madrid’s Champions League win against Manchester City.
“The day I scored that hat trick, wearing the captain’s armband meant a lot. What I experienced that day is comparable to my debut with Uruguay.”
Moving on from Tchouameni clash
The midfielder had a controversial end to the 2025/26 season after his confrontation with Aurelien Tchouameni at Valdebebas. But he seems ready to move on.
The bottom line
From never imagining it to living it. From craving the armband to feeling its weight.
Valverde is Real Madrid’s captain now. He scored a hat trick wearing it. He led his team wearing it.
The Tchouameni incident is in the past. The World Cup is ahead. And the armband? He’ll wear it with pride.
He never imagined this. But now he’s living it. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.
