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 will be looking to pick up their fifth win of the 2026/27 La Liga season when they take on Elche CF at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero later tonight.
With 12 points from five games, Los Blancos are currently second in the league table, three points below leaders FC Barcelona.
As such, the Spanish capital club will be eager to get the win and close the gap to the top.
Guler starts, Bellingham rested
Ahead of kickoff, Real Madrid have announced the starting lineup that will take the field against Elche, with Jose Mourinho making some important changes.
For starters, Arda Guler is back in the lineup after appearing as a substitute in the win over Rayo Vallecano.
Interestingly, however, he starts in the attacking midfield role, with Mourinho opting to rest Jude Bellingham, who has started all of Real Madrid’s games so far.
That also means that Yan Diomande retains his place in the team, starting for a second time in a row on the right wing. Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. continue in their respective positions in attack.
Another notable change sees Aurelien Tchouameni make his first start of the season after recovering from injury and making two appearances off the bench.
He replaces Bernardo Silva as Federico Valverde’s partner in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marc Cucurella come in as full-backs, while Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen slot in at centre-back in front of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
📋✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 15, 2026
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