Valverde’s metamorphosis: Real Madrid captain a different beast
Fede Valverde, a player more at home in midfield, has established himself as one of Real Madrid’s assist suppliers-in-chief.
A thunderous shooter turned assist machine - that’s the latest metamorphosis undergone by Fede Valverde, now back in midfield after spending the first half of the season covering at right back. Full back is a role Valverde neither grew up in nor feels entirely comfortable with. As he always does, though, he delivered. And now, operating closer to the box again, he’s showcasing the full range of his attacking tools - of which there are many.
Both of Madrid’s goals against Benfica bore the unmistakable imprint of “El Halcón”. The most recent reminder of a playmaking talent that had flickered in past seasons but has erupted this campaign: Wednesday’s two assists bring his season total to 12.
A new Valverde in 2026
Valverde’s resurgence has tracked neatly with the turn of the calendar year. Before 2026 arrived, he had managed just four assists and hadn’t scored across 22 appearances this season. A meager return for a player who, ever since Carlo Ancelotti famously urged him to look for goal more often, had become a pillar of Madrid’s attack. But since 2025 concluded, Valverde has been a different beast. He gave early notice in the first match of the year at the Bernabéu against Real Betis, delivering two assists - a preview of what was to come. And barely 75 seconds into the Spanish Super Cup semifinal against Atlético Madrid, he ended his scoring drought by uncorking that signature cannon of his from a direct free kick.
Since then, Valverde has two goals and eight assists in 14 matches played in the new calendar year. And he’s in sparkling form. Over his last four outings, he scored against Real Sociedad, set up Vinícius Júnior against Osasuna, and versus Benfica he provided the decisive pass to Aurélien Tchouaméni and initiated the counter that Vinícius finished to put the tie to bed. His 12 assists this season already surpass his previous career high (eight last year) and pull him level with Arda Güler as the squad’s top provider so far. Vinícius has been the biggest beneficiary of Valverde’s vision - the Brazilian has converted four of the Uruguayan’s deliveries.
“May as well ask for everything”
“I’ve told him I want both Ancelotti’s goals and his assists too. May as well ask for everything,” Arbeloa joked on Wednesday after the win over Benfica. The coach continued: “Since the moment I arrived, Fede has shown me exactly what he is - how important he is for me as a player. He’s a captain, practically an extension of me on the field, one of our leaders, and he embodies what a Real Madrid player has to be. Even when he’s carrying a niggle, he never wants to rest; he wants to keep going and keep playing.”
And under Arbeloa, he has kept going. Valverde is, with 950 minutes, the most‑used player by the new head coach since he took charge in mid-January. The Uruguayan is the only player to have started all 11 matches of the Arbeloa era. He didn’t even sit out the Copa del Rey trip to Albacete. In total, he’s missed only 40 minutes.
Valverde has returned to a position that suits him. Since Madrid’s win at Valencia, when he was liberated from full‑back duty, Arbeloa has stationed him on the right side of midfield. But his versatility means he can slide wherever needed - either to help lock things down defensively or to rebalance the line, as he did against Benfica when he finished the game on the left flank. Whatever the role, Valverde always finds a way to impose himself, always finds a way to become indispensable.
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