Real Madrid News
Federico Valverde issues first public statement after Uruguay’s early World Cup elimination: ‘I take ownership of this failure’
One of the shocks of the ongoing FIFA World Cup was Uruguay’s group-stage elimination from a group that included Spain, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia.
In a tournament where the top two teams from every group are guaranteed qualification and even the best finishing third-placed teams progress to the knockouts, it is unbelievable that Uruguay did not make it to the Round of 32.
Yet their performances were not much better, as they lost to Spain and drew with both Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia.
Valverde’s statement
Taking to his Instagram for the first time since Uruguay’s painful elimination from the FIFA World Cup, Real Madrid star and the national team captain Federico Valverde opened up on how gutting the performances were on a personal level.
“Several days have passed since our elimination, and only now can I begin to process everything I experienced.
“Even so, I know there is a part of me that will probably never get over another first-round elimination like the one I suffered at the World Cup in Qatar. That wound is still there,” he added.
Taking responsibility for the disastrous result, the midfielder admitted that the team did not do well enough and that a lot of improvement was required.
“I feel an enormous responsibility toward my country. It is a source of pride that fills my soul.
“I did everything within my power: I prepared myself physically and mentally, and I tried to make sure what happened before would never happen again by working hard throughout the entire season. But, clearly, it wasn’t enough,” he added.
As the captain of the team, he then owned up to the collective failure and asked for the forgiveness of fans across the world for the heartbreak.
“I accept the defeat. I take full responsibility for not being able to fulfil my duty to the national team and to all of you.
“I take ownership of this failure, and I know I wasn’t good enough. But under no circumstances will I ever give up representing my country, even if it costs me my life.”
Finally, the player vowed to do better and to take La Celeste to greater heights in the coming years.
“I don’t know how or when, but I swear on my life that I will not leave this national team until I have taken it to the very top.”
What’s next for Valverde?
Looking for a silver lining from a World Cup elimination is not simple, but Federico Valverde must look to push himself on and take a step away from the negative space he is in.
As Jose Mourinho pointed out jovially, an early World Cup elimination only means more rest for the players before the beginning of the club season.
Given the hectic season the Uruguayan star has had with virtually no rest, the player should now look to rest and prepare himself to start the new season fresh. After all, Real Madrid have a lot to prove in the upcoming campaign.
Real Madrid prospect Alexis Ciria will have to wait for his Champions League opportunity despite making a strong impression on Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
The Castilla winger has been left out of Real Madrid’s European squad, but the decision is the consequence of UEFA registration rules rather than a sporting judgment.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Defensa Central), Ciria was not eligible for Madrid’s List B because he has not been with the club long enough to satisfy UEFA’s requirements.
Registering him would therefore have required Mourinho to include him on the more restrictive List A.
UEFA rules work against Ciria
List B provides clubs with additional flexibility to register young academy players, but being young enough is not sufficient on its own.
Players must also meet requirements concerning how long they have been eligible to represent the club.
Ciria does not meet those conditions because of his limited time at Valdebebas. Real Madrid would therefore have needed to sacrifice a List A position to register him.
With those places required for members of Mourinho’s senior squad, Ciria was ultimately left out.
Real Madrid’s List B instead includes youngsters such as Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero and Daniel Yanez.
Many of these youngsters made a name for themselves under Mourinho during pre-season and could be used to make up the numbers in the Champions League squad.
They could also get some minutes off the bench, especially against relatively easier opposition, as Jose Mourinho looks to manage first-team minutes.
Mourinho still plans first-team opportunity
Importantly for Ciria, missing the Champions League squad does not appear to reflect a change in Mourinho’s opinion of him.
The youngster impressed during pre-season and is expected to continue spending time around the senior team.
Mourinho intends to give Ciria his official first-team debut during the season. That opportunity will now have to arrive in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
The Portuguese tactician placed a lot of emphasis on trusting Castilla players during pre-season in the absence of first-team stars.
Ciria was one of the many names who made a name for themselves at Real Madrid during pre-season. He deserves a chance in the first team, and it remains to be seen how Jose plans his development.
