An elite footballer for just five million euros? It sounds impossible. In today's market, that figure seems ridiculous, but Real Madrid did it. In 2016, quietly and without headlines, the club signed a young Uruguayan who was playing in the South American U-17 Championship (Sudamericano Sub-17).
From that moment, Madrid made a strong bet; he wasn't just any prospect, he was an all-rounder with vision, character, and an inexhaustible engine. He didn't join the first team immediately; first, he played for Castilla. Then, he went to Deportivo de La Coruña on a discreet loan, but Zidane already knew: he was a chosen one.
Ancelotti's wildcard
We're talking about Fede Valverde. Today, he's not just a starter at Real Madrid, he's a key piece in a team full of stars. While Vinícius dazzles with his dribbling and Mbappé with his goals, Fede shines in the shadows. He always delivers, always shows up, always solves problems.
In a single match, he can play as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, or even full-back. Yes, right-back, like in Manchester, when Lucas Vázquez was injured. Ancelotti was clear: "After Carvajal and Lucas, for me Valverde is the best right-back in the world." It wasn't an exaggeration, it was reality.
The 7x1 player
Valverde has played in seven different positions wearing the white jersey. Central midfielder, his natural role, right or left midfielder, winger, full-back, pivot, even attacking midfielder. This versatility makes him unique, a 7x1 footballer that every coach would want to have.
It's not just that he delivers: he performs at the highest level in every position. In Paris, in the 2022 Champions League final, he assisted Vinícius from the right flank. Playing as a winger, he became the silent hero of the Fourteenth.
Kroos's successor
In the midfield, he has learned from the best. Especially from Toni Kroos, and when the German announced his farewell, he didn't hesitate to point to him as his heir. Not out of friendship, but pure merit, because Fede understands the game, sets the pace, and gets forward—all at 25 years old.
Today, his market value has risen to 130 million euros, but the truth is that he's priceless. Because Valverde isn't just a footballer: he's a system in himself. A player who allows others to shine, a balance that doesn't show up in the highlights, but wins matches.
A signing that's already history
Five million for Federico Valverde. In 2016, it sounded like a bet; in 2025, it sounds like a steal. Real Madrid didn't just find a great player, it found a leader, a true all-rounder, an untouchable.
Vinícius and Mbappé might make the front pages. Valverde is the one who holds the team together when the foundations shake. That, in soccer, is worth much more than any figure.