Trent Alexander-Arnold praised Federico Valverde as “the most underrated footballer on the planet,” with coach Álvaro Arbeloa dubbing him a “benchmark” following Valverde’s remarkable hat trick in Real Madrid‘s 3-0 victory over Manchester City on Wednesday.
Valverde’s impressive 22-minute hat trick at the Bernabéu provided Madrid with a crucial edge ahead of next week’s round-of-16 second leg in Manchester. However, Vinícius Júnior saw a penalty saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma in the second half.
The Uruguay international made history as the first midfielder to net a hat trick for Madrid in the Champions League, effectively doubling his tally in the competition.
“He’s the most underrated footballer on the planet—and has been for years,” commented teammate Alexander-Arnold in an interview with CBS. “Even when I wasn’t here, I admired his skill immensely. There’s not a flaw in his game; he can do it all.”
“His energy and contribution to the team are tremendous. He never complains and consistently pushes himself to the limit. It’s an extraordinary quality. Whether people acknowledge it or not, he is undoubtedly among the top midfielders in the world and has been for years.”
Arbeloa moved Valverde back to the midfield after he had previously been placed at right back by former coach Xabi Alonso.
“It’s irrelevant where you position [Valverde],” Arbeloa stated. “To me, he’s the 21st-century equivalent of Madrid legend Juanito, truly a benchmark for Madridismo. He embodies everything that a Madrid player should be. He certainly earned a night he will never forget.”
City manager Pep Guardiola praised Valverde’s performance as “fantastic,” declaring him the deserved MVP of the match.
“We wanted Fede to be more aggressive and challenge City’s defense,” Arbeloa explained regarding Valverde’s role on the right wing. “He made a significant effort, supported Trent defensively, and scored three goals. It’s a game we will always remember. … What he brings to his teammates is what matters most.”
“Nights like this are what you dream of,” Valverde shared with Movistar. “I truly enjoyed myself today. It had been quite some time since I experienced a match like this.”
The win against City marked a highlight in Arbeloa’s two-month stint at the Bernabéu.
“It was the game in which we executed our game plan the best,” Arbeloa reflected. “We were a team in every sense of the word. This locker room is filled with exceptional players, but we also need to function as a great team to overcome City. We have to adopt a collective mentality and be clear about our intentions without the ball.”