“Football’s unsung hero”, “that boy has 4 lungs” – Fans in awe of Real Madrid star who ‘plays with his heart’ after Champions League final win over Liverpool
Real Madrid fans have sung the praises of Federico Valverde following his outstanding performance in their Champions League final victory over Liverpool.
The 23-year-old put in an industrious display on the right-wing as his fizzing low cross on the hour mark gave Vinicius Junior a tap-in for the game's only goal. This was sufficient for Los Blancos to claim their 14th European crown.
Ancelotti decided to start Valverde ahead of Rodrygo, who scored twice during Madrid's dramatic semi-final victory over Manchester City. The Italian boss clearly felt the Uruguayan international would offer more to his team in terms of the defensive aspect of the game.
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Real Madrid add No. 14 to their Champions League collection 😤 https://t.co/mQo4WcfPtA
The South American was a constant nuisance for Liverpool defenders all evening long, with his energy and running a constant threat to Andrew Robertson.
Valverde has often been used more as a central midfielder throughout his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, having only scored once in 45 games across the campaign.
Following the encounter, Real Madrid supporters took to Twitter to heap praise on Valverde. Many claimed that the "unsung hero" was the key behind the Galacticos' success at the Stade de France:
Federico Valverde, we love you so fucking much.
Valverde attacking and defending constantly throughout the game. What a player man, what a player!
Fede Valverde by the way. Has the geezer got four lungs?
Valverde is the catalyst for Real Madrid. He's been immense tonight if you can spot his work. Another football's unsung hero.
Everything changed when Carlo started trusting Fede Valverde.
Federico Valverde will jump at the opportunity to play a game of football tomorrow if there'd be one. That boy has 4 lungs.
There’s literally no way you watch Fede Valverde play football and still think he’s got any competition in his position. What a game.
I don’t think I have a single bad tweet about Valverde, I love him he plays with his heart 🥹
Carlo Ancelotti hails his Real Madrid side following victory over Liverpool
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid manager, claimed his fifth European Cup overall, becoming the first coach to win the Champions League four times.
The victory in Paris capped off an incredible season for Madrid, who also sealed their 35th La Liga title. Speaking to BT Sport after the encounter, Ancelotti stated (as quoted by BBC Sport):
"I can't believe it. We had a fantastic season. We did really well. It was a difficult game and we suffered a lot, more so in the first half. In the end I think we deserved to win this competition. We're really happy...A fantastic club, a really good squad with a lot of quality and mental character."
Real Madrid have now won five of the previous nine Champions League titles, with Ancelotti's side starting that incredible run in 2014. The likes of Luka Modric, Marcelo, and Karim Benzema were all ever-presents throughout the near decade-long run.
Carlo Ancelotti's last two seasons have finished in a 5-0 defeat as Everton manager and winning the Champions League with Real Madrid.