Federico Valverde has stated that he would never play for Barcelona.
The 23-year-old joined Los Blancos from Penarol in 2016 and has made 134 appearances for the Spanish club’s first squad in all competitions, including 32 appearances in 2021-22.
Valverde has stated ahead of Sunday’s El Clasico at the Bernabeu that he would never contemplate playing for Barca, “out of respect” for his present club.
“Real Madrid are special, they changed my life,” Valverde told El Larguero.
“I came from Penarol, but since I arrived here I knew that I was wearing the shirt of the best team in the world. It’s enormous pressure and responsibility, but I enjoy it.
“Out of respect for Real Madrid, and for the values they gave me at home, I wouldn’t play for Barcelona. Out of respect for the badge that feeds me, gives me life, and the love it gives me, and the values they gave me at home.”
Valverde missed Real Madrid’s 4-1 La Liga victory over Real Sociedad earlier this month due to sickness, but returned to play the entire 90 minutes against PSG in the Champions League and 61 minutes against Mallorca on Monday night.
