Real Madrid Star's Training Nightmare: Injuring Zidane's Son
Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has opened up about a terrifying moment during training when he injured Zinedine Zidane's son, Luca, fearing severe consequences from the French football legend. The Uruguayan international, who has been with the Spanish giants since 2017, played under Zidane's management for three years, during which they forged a strong bond by winning the La Liga title and the Champions League together.
A Fearful Reaction to an Unfortunate Accident
Despite their successful partnership, Valverde was filled with dread after the training incident involving Luca Zidane, the second-oldest son of Zinedine and a goalkeeper who currently plays for Granada and the Algeria national team. Luca, aged 27, progressed through the Real Madrid academy, making two senior appearances before leaving the club in 2020.
During an appearance on the podcast Terapia Picante, Valverde candidly shared his emotions, stating, "I wanted to die, I thought they were going to sack me, I injured Zidane's son." He humorously added that his powerful shots have caused shoulder injuries to other goalkeepers, joking about his skinny legs and unexpected strength.
Zidane's Profound Influence on Valverde's Career
With 14 major honours at Real Madrid, Valverde credits Zidane with significantly shaping his personal and professional development. He explained, "Zidane helped me develop my character. He gave me tranquillity and peace of mind to know that things would work out for me." Prior to his time under managers like Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso, Valverde spent four years working with Carlo Ancelotti, whom he describes as "family".
Valverde praised Ancelotti, saying, "Ancelotti made me believe in myself. He's like family to me. I love him very much. I hope I can run into him again someday. The way he made us feel day in and day out. That hunger and that desire to win. Ancelotti is the most complete."
Current Season Highlights and Future Prospects
As Real Madrid approaches the final stages of the season, they trail reigning league champions Barcelona by seven points in La Liga with eight games remaining. Additionally, they face a crucial Champions League quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich on Tuesday. In the previous round, Real Madrid defeated Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate, with Valverde's first-half hat-trick in the first leg proving decisive.
Reflecting on his remarkable performance against Manchester City, Valverde said, "Everything went my way against City. I never thought I could score three goals. It was incredible. Those are 50 unforgettable minutes of my career. The best part was feeling the fans' support. The day before, I told my wife I hoped I'd score, but three goals? Unthinkable."
This revelation adds a personal and dramatic layer to Valverde's journey at Real Madrid, highlighting the intense pressures and emotional bonds within top-tier football.
