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Real Madrid CF v Getafe CF - LaLiga EA SportsGetty Images Sport
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"I thought they were going to kick me out!" Federico Valverde feared punishment at Real Madrid

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Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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Over 28 monthsSave 67%
Protect 10 devices with high-speed VPN
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Basic

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 10 different devices simultaneously, and offers Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.


Over 28 monthsSave 80%
Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
ExpressVPN

Advanced

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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Federico Valverde is one of Real Madrid’s best and most important players, and is in the form of his life ahead of the Champions League clashes against FC Bayern Munich. However, as the Uruguayan superstar has now revealed, there was a time when, following a particular incident, he was actually afraid the club would sack him.

  • "I’ve injured the odd goalkeeper or two," recalls Valverde on the Terapia Picante podcast, though one prominent name caused him particular concern. "I injured Luca Zidane’s shoulder. I wanted the ground to swallow me up; I thought they’d kick me out – I’d injured Zidane’s son."

    The 27-year-old’s shots are feared not only by opposing goalkeepers; yet Valverde, who has evolved from ‘El Pajarito’ (Little Bird) to ‘El Halcón’ (The Falcon) not just in terms of finishing technique, says, “I have very thin legs; I don’t know where I get so much power in my legs from.”"

  • "What on earth am I getting myself into?" Valverde had doubts about a move to Real

    During his six years with Real Madrid’s first team, Valverde has enjoyed an impressive career, but the move from Uruguay’s Peñarol to Spain was not an easy one for the midfielder; after all, even Castilla – for whom he played for a year before being loaned out to Deportivo La Coruña for a season – was a whole different world.

    “It was incredibly embarrassing; it completely knocked the wind out of me. I thought: ‘I don’t know what I’m doing here’,” recalls Valverde of his early days in the Royal Club’s youth team. “When I arrived at the car park, I noticed that my Castilla teammates had really fancy cars, and I could barely afford a decent one, even though I was already playing in the top flight for Penarol.”

    He started to wonder: "What on earth have I got myself into? I went into the changing room and saw really expensive designer clothes there," Valverde continued. "I didn’t want to get undressed at all, or I’d get undressed really quickly so that no one would see me. It was a rude awakening."

  • Valverde the match-winner against Manchester City

    Valverde is now regarded as the legitimate successor to club legend Toni Kroos, and not just because he has taken over his number 8 shirt. Valverde has long been indispensable to manager Álvaro Arbeloa; he virtually single-handedly propelled the Royals into the next round with a hat-trick in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 in a 3-0 win over Manchester City, and has also found the net once in each of the last three league matches. His contract in Madrid runs until 2029.

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  • Federico Valverde: Performance statistics 2025/26

    Competition

    Matches

    Goals

    Assists

    LaLiga

    28

    4

    7

    Champions League

    11

    3

    4

    Copa del Rey

    1

    -

    -

    Super Cup

    2

    1

    1