Real Madrid midfielder talks Lionel Messi: “I could never stop him”

Ahead of Uruguay’s CONMEBOL World Cup qualification clash against Argentina tonight, Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde spoke to MARCA about what to expect from the game.

During the interview, the 25-year-old tipped his hat to Argentina, who were crowned World Champions last year, and the man spearheading the side: a certain Lionel Messi.

Having faced the mercurial Argentine in numerous Clasicos, Valverde said he was keen to face him once again and talked about how Uruguay would have to approach the game in order to come away with a result.

“I don’t know how to do it. I could never stop him. We have had many Clasicos against him and Casemiro was always a good weapon to face Leo, although not always,” began Valverde.

He then said: “You have to respect him because he is one of the best players in the world.”

He did say, however, that while the Uruguyans respect Argentina and understand the challenge they face, they will not back down.

“We know the kind of team it is and the kind of player Lionel Messi is, with everything they have achieved and we have to have respect them, but we also have to defend what is ours and fight for the win.”

High praise for Luis Suarez

While he is going up against one Barcelona legend, he will be happy to have another on his side in Luis Suarez – a great friend and former teammate of Lionel Messi.

The legendary striker returns to the national team for this international break, and Valverde was quick to heap praise on Suarez.

“From the first moment, he [Suarez] has always given me the values, the codes and the weapons to succeed in the world of football, and not only in the national team.

“I will always be happy that he is with us again and continue to sharing a dressing room with us. He is a star for us and an idol of Uruguay,” concluded Valverde.