Federico Valverde Childhood Story (What you didn’t know)
Federico Valverde Childhood Story
About Federico Valverde’s childhood, he was born on July 22, 1998, in Montevideo, Uruguay, to Julio Valverde and Doris Valverde. Known affectionately as Fede, he is the second child of the couple, who raised him in a middle-class home with Catholic Christian values.
His family has roots in Montevideo, a city with a strong Spanish heritage due to its time as part of the former Spanish Empire (1724–1807). Federico did not grow up alone, but alongside his older brother Diego, in a home that initially had no connection to football. From a very young age, he showed great interest in the sport. Even before he was two years old, he insisted that his father install a goalpost in the living room, where he would spend hours kicking a ball around.
Federico Valverde’s passion for football began in his childhood. At just three years old, he enrolled at the Union Students’ Babies academy in Montevideo, where he began participating in sports activities. Despite his age, he stood out in unofficial games. A remarkable story occurred in one of these games, when Fede scored his first goal and, in celebration, took off his diapers, causing laughter in the audience.
At five years old, despite still being under the minimum age for official competitions, the academy allowed him to play with older children, recognizing his precocious talent.
Federico Valverde’s first steps in football
Federico Valverde’s childhood was marked by his parents’ unconditional support for his dream of becoming a football player. They faced challenges such as finding the right size football boots for him, which had to be bought at flea markets. Despite this, the boy’s talent soon became apparent, and at the age of five he won his first title in amateur competitions.
In 2008, Federico was called up for trials at Peñarol, one of the most traditional clubs in Uruguay. During the trials, he caught the attention of the coaches, who soon accepted him into the team. This opportunity opened doors for him and, two years later, he was called up to the Uruguayan under-15 team.
In 2015, while still at Peñarol’s youth academy, Federico met his idol, Diego Forlán, who joined the club at the time. Forlán became an inspirational figure for the young athlete, advising him on hard work and humility.
Under this influence, Federico helped Peñarol win the 2015–16 Primera División title. At the age of 17, he caught the attention of major European clubs, resulting in his transfer to Real Madrid.
The story of Federico Valverde at Real Madrid
In July 2016, Federico Valverde transferred from Peñarol to Real Madrid, initially playing for the reserve team, Castilla. Two months after his arrival, he made his debut for Castilla against Real Unión, in a match that ended in defeat. During his debut season, he became a regular player in the team and scored his first goal in December 2016, in a match against Albacete.
Commenting on his importance to the team, Santiago Solari, Castilla’s coach at the time, said on 29 January 2017: “I am very pleased with him. Valverde has adapted quickly to the club and the country, bringing great quality to the midfield.”
Loan to Deportivo La Coruña
On 22 June 2017, Valverde was loaned to La Liga side Deportivo de La Coruña for a season. He made his league debut on 10 September, coming on as a substitute for Fede Cartabia in a 4–2 defeat to Real Sociedad. He made 24 appearances during the season, but the team were relegated at the end of the campaign.
Return to Real Madrid
Returning to Real Madrid after his loan spell, Valverde impressed manager Julen Lopetegui during the 2018–19 pre-season, earning a place in the first team squad. On 23 October 2018, he made his first-team debut in a UEFA Champions League group stage match against Viktoria Plzeň at the Bernabéu, aged 20. He went on to make 25 appearances and won the FIFA Club World Cup in his first season in the first team.
Consolidation at Real Madrid
With the return of Zinedine Zidane as coach and the departure of Marcos Llorente, Valverde rose to prominence during the 2019–20 season, becoming a key player in the squad. On 9 November 2019, he scored his first goal for Real Madrid in a 4–0 La Liga win over Eibar.
On 12 January 2020, during the Spanish Super Cup final against Atlético Madrid, Valverde committed a decisive foul on Álvaro Morata, preventing an imminent goal. Despite being sent off, his actions took the game to penalties, where Real Madrid emerged victorious. He was named Man of the Match, with Atlético manager Diego Simeone describing the foul as “the most important play of the game”. Valverde made 33 La Liga appearances, helping the club win the 2019–20 title.
In the 2020–21 season, Valverde continued to excel. He scored the first goal of the campaign in a 3–2 win over Betis and celebrated his 50th La Liga appearance for Real Madrid. Shortly afterwards, he found the net against Barcelona in a 3–1 win at the Camp Nou, becoming the second Uruguayan to score in El Clásico and the first to do so for Real Madrid.
Contract extensions and Champions League achievements
On 24 August 2021, Valverde extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2027. He scored a crucial goal in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Barcelona, helping the team win the tournament. On 28 May 2022, he provided the assist for Vinícius Júnior to score the winning goal in the Champions League final against Liverpool, securing Real Madrid’s 14th trophy in the competition.
On 14 September 2022, he scored his first Champions League goal in a win over RB Leipzig. In the 2022–23 season, he surpassed the target set by coach Carlo Ancelotti, scoring 12 goals in all competitions. On 9 November 2023, Valverde extended his contract with Real Madrid until June 2029.
The story of Federico Valverde’s family
Family has always played an important role in Federico’s life. His father, Julio, although busy with work, supported his son behind the scenes, while his mother, Doris, was more directly involved in his career, accompanying him on his move to Spain. Today, his parents live in Montevideo, but visit Federico regularly.
Federico Valverde’s parents
Federico Valverde’s father
Júlio, his father, was always working while his wife took care of his son’s career.
Today, the super dad is proud that his son has become a man and no longer a young man who was often taken to training.
Although not as influential in his career as his wife, Julio is a football-loving father who loves discussing football matters with his son.
The mother of Federico Valverde
When Federico traveled to Europe, his mother unleashed her maternal role, ensuring that she and her husband Julio followed him to Madrid. They all lived in Madrid and she made sure Fede continued to enjoy her delicious dishes.
Doris had a wonderful experience while living in Madrid. She hardly goes to the Bernabéu; instead, she prefers to watch her son at home on television. It was a different experience when she went to the supermarket or the mall.
Doris, while at the grocery store, heard people talking about her son.
Siblings of Federico Valverde
Very little is known about Federico’s brother, who goes by the name Deigo. Although he avoids public attention, it may be that Diego does nothing other than take care of his younger brother’s career.
Federico Valverde’s wife
Federico Valverde is in a relationship with Mina Bonino, an Argentine journalist and TV presenter. Mina is five years older than Federico, but the couple has a solid relationship based on friendship. Despite some teasing and teasing on social media, they share a strong bond and mutual support.
Federico Valverde’s children
Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valvede and his partner, Mina Bonino, welcomed their first child into the world on February 20, 2020.
Bonino was in labor for 14 hours and posted a photo of her, de Valverde and his son on Instagram a few hours later.
Federico Valverde’s personal life
Off the field, Federico is a reserved person who values moments of tranquility, especially by the sea. He avoids conflict and prefers to maintain stable relationships. His choice of an older partner reflects his search for maturity and understanding regarding the demands of his career.
Federico Valverde’s lifestyle
Federico has a balanced lifestyle, spending responsibly and prioritizing his family. Despite his success, he remains humble, driving modest cars and avoiding ostentation.
Untold Facts About Federico Valverde
Health problems: In 2016, he faced breathing and vocal difficulties, which almost compromised his career. With the appropriate treatment, he was able to return to the field.
Contribution to Federico Valverde’s childhood club: The Babies Student Union received financial compensation for Federico’s transfer to Real Madrid, which was used to improve the club’s infrastructure.
Controversy: During the 2017 U-20 World Cup, his celebration after scoring a goal sparked accusations of racism, but Federico explained that it was a tribute to a friend nicknamed “El Chino”.
Overcoming: Despite not being called up for the 2018 World Cup, he learned from the disappointment and grew as a player, consolidating himself in the Uruguayan national team.
References
“Federico Valverde’s childhood photos taken over the internet”. Tribuna
“Federico Valverde”. Wikipedia
“Valverde’s mother tells incredible story: Fede dreams of playing for Madrid since he was 4”. Tribuna
“Federico Valverde Biography”. ESPN
“federico valverde bio – Soccer”. FOX SPORTS
“Federico Valverde – Player profile 24/25”. Transfermarkt
