"I said to myself, This Is My Club" – Federico Valverde Opens Up on Arsenal Rejection Before Real Madrid Success

Federico Valverde, one of Real Madrid’s key players, recently opened up about how close he came to joining Arsenal during his youth. The Uruguayan midfielder, now 26 years old, has established himself as a crucial part of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, winning numerous titles with the Spanish giants. However, his journey could have taken a completely different path had Arsenal accepted him into their team a decade ago.

In an interview with Marca, Valverde recalled his time at Arsenal’s training facility, London Colney, when he was just 16 years old. At the time, he was playing for Penarol in Uruguay but had aspirations of making it in the Premier League, which he grew up watching.

“I said to myself, ‘This is it. This is my club. I’m going to grow here,'” Valverde shared. “In Uruguay, we watched a lot of Premier League football, and I imagined my future there.”

The young Valverde trained alongside Arsenal’s first-team stars, including Alexis Sanchez, Hector Bellerín, and Santi Cazorla. He fondly remembered the camaraderie and support he received, especially from then-Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, also known as “Dibu.”

“I didn’t know English at the time, so players like Dibu, Alexis, and Bellerín helped explain everything to me,” Valverde added.

Despite his enthusiasm and the warm welcome he received, Arsenal ultimately decided against signing him. The rejection was a bitter pill for the young midfielder to swallow, but it would set him on a path to even greater success.

Two years after being turned down by Arsenal, Valverde signed with Real Madrid in 2016. He worked his way through the ranks, joining the club’s youth setup before earning a spot in the senior squad. Since then, he has made 275 appearances for Los Blancos, scored 24 goals, and won numerous trophies, including three La Liga titles and two Champions League titles.

Valverde has since become a versatile player known for his energy, tactical awareness, and ability to play multiple positions in midfield and attack. His performances have drawn admiration from top clubs worldwide, including Liverpool, who reportedly submitted a £51 million bid for him last summer, though it was rejected by Real Madrid.

While Valverde is proud of his achievements at Real Madrid, he can’t help but wonder how different his career might have been had Arsenal taken a chance on him. His story highlights how even the world’s best players face rejection early in their careers but can go on to achieve greatness elsewhere.

“I enjoyed my time at Arsenal,” he said. “But sometimes, life takes you where you’re meant to be.”

Valverde’s journey from being rejected by Arsenal to becoming a star at Real Madrid is a testament to hard work and perseverance. It serves as a reminder that setbacks often lead to greater opportunities, even if they aren’t immediately clear.