Fede Valverde's star rises even in controversy as cynical foul sets Real Madrid up for Supercopa success

Red hot | Valverde's red card in the Supercopa Final was even heralded by Atletico boss Diego Simeone
Getty Images
Ben Hayward13 January 2020

Marca called it "a foul for history". AS said it was "the image of the final". In reality, it was an ugly moment in an ugly match, but almost everyone agreed: Fede Valverde did what he had to do.

With five minutes of added time remaining in the Spanish Supercopa between Real Madrid and Atletico and penalties imminent, Alvaro Morata was running at goal. Valverde was the only player who could catch him and he did. The Uruguayan midfielder stretched out a leg and brought down the striker.

It was cynical. It was unsporting. It was wrong. But it was also necessary. Unsurprisingly, the 21-year-old was shown a straight red card by the referee, but he was applauded by Madrid's fans as he left the pitch and also by his team-mates on the sidelines. Even Diego Simeone went over and had a word.

“It was the most important play of the match," the Argentine said afterwards. "If the move went on, it would have possibly been a goal. I said to him: ‘don’t worry, anyone would've done same in your place’. He did what he had to do.”

There was a sense, even then, that the moment was key. With only five minutes remaining, Madrid were not really hurt by playing with a man down and in the penalty shootout, Valverde probably would not have taken a kick anyway. Later, he was named as MVP for the competition.

"The prize for the best player in the tournament also has a little from that play," Simeone said. "Valverde won the final."

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Despite defeat, there was an element of admiration in his words. As a player, he would not have thought twice about scything down an opponent in those circumstances. And as coach, he would instruct his players to do the same.

"I have said sorry to Alvaro," Valverde revealed after the game. "It's not good what I did, but it was all I could do. I'm very happy for the title, but I have that slight thorn in my side.

"My team-mates congratulated me when I came off the pitch. My team-mates and the coaching staff have supported me. Simeone came over too and not anybody would do that."

The intervention was key for Zinedine Zidane to claim a 10th trophy as Real Madrid coach and a first since his return to the club in March as Los Blancos went on to win 4-1 on penalties.

"In the end, he did what he had to do," the Frenchman said. "It's a crude foul, but he had to do it at that moment. He did the right thing. In the end, the important thing is that he apologised to Morata because they know each other well."

And president Florentino Perez, who had travelled out to Saudi Arabia for the final, said of Valverde: "He's one of the greats. You never know what would have happened, but he avoided a great chance. That made it possible for us to carry on at 0-0."

That was high praise from the very top and the midfielder's star continues to rise at the tender age of 21.

Valverde in action against Atletico Madrid on Sunday Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

"Fede dreamed when he was four years old that the Bernabeu hailed him," his mother Doris said last week in an interview with Marca.

Now, 17 years on, that dream is a reality. And after his latest contribution helped to earn the club a first title of the new decade, that acclaim is set to grow even louder in the weeks and months ahead.

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