Valverde: “I never imagined scoring a hat-trick against City”

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has described his recent scoring burst as “a unique moment,” revealing that he never anticipated netting a hat-trick against Manchester City. Speaking to the press from Uruguay’s training camp, the 25-year-old reflected on the treble that has kept his confidence soaring and carried straight into international duty, where he struck Uruguay’s lone goal in a friendly defeat to England at Wembley on Wednesday night.

“I’m enjoying a lot the moments like the ones I lived recently, scoring a hat-trick in a game that I never imagined would score more than two goals in,” Valverde said. “For me it is a unique moment. But that also allows me to continue working harder and to remain focused on football, which I think is what also puts me in a good position to make the National Team.”

The Uruguayan’s versatility remains central to both club and country. Asked about his preferred role, Valverde underlined a team-first mentality: “I like helping the team. Sometimes the team needs a right-back and I will be there to help the team. Sometimes it needs a winger and I’ll be there. I always like to help wherever the coaching staff needs me to be. I work every day to make sure that things go well when I enter the field.”

Valverde will sit out Real Madrid’s next domestic fixture at Mallorca after picking up a suspension, giving him a brief respite before the Champions League quarter-final showdown with Bayern Munich.