A Star Unwilling to Play a Secondary Role

Federico Valverde’s current situation at Real Madrid is far from what was expected. Since his arrival in 2018, the Uruguayan has been a symbol of commitment and consistency, but a recent episode has exposed possible friction with Xabi Alonso.

It all started before the Champions League clash against Kairat Almaty, when Valverde was asked about the chance of playing right-back due to injuries in defense. His answer was blunt: “I wasn’t born to play as a full-back.” Although he later added that he was always willing to help, the remark did not go unnoticed.

A Bench Role That Raised Questions

Hours later, Valverde was left on the bench. Xabi insisted the decision had already been made before the press conference, but the midfielder’s body language spoke volumes. He came out last to the pitch, skipped the pre-match rondo with his teammates, and during the second-half warm-up walked alone, avoiding group drills.

Even Jude Bellingham approached him in an attempt to ease the tension, but the image was clear: Valverde wasn’t happy with the situation.

From Key Player to Question Mark

The contrast is striking. Just weeks ago, Xabi Alonso described him as “a Gerrard-type player,” someone capable of excelling in multiple positions. Now, Valverde seems relegated to a secondary role, far from the leadership many expected under the new coach.

“Knowing Fede, I’m sure it bothers him. He always wants to be on the front line,” admitted teammate Fran García, offering his support after the match. The question now is whether this is just a temporary bump—or the beginning of deeper tension between one of Madrid’s key stars and their manager.