By Martin Graham
When Manchester City supporters looked at the Real Madrid starting XI before the Champions League last-16 first leg, the absence of Kylian Mbappe seemed like a major boost for the visitors.
What few anticipated was Federico Valverde producing one of the most remarkable performances of his career at the Bernabeu.
The Uruguayan midfielder is better known for powerful long-range strikes than consistent scoring. He has also frequently been deployed at right-back this season to help cover injuries, making his attacking contribution even less predictable.
Yet in a breathtaking 42-minute spell during the first half, Valverde scored the first hat-trick of his professional career and propelled Real Madrid into a commanding 3-0 lead.
The display was extraordinary. Wearing the captain’s armband, Valverde inspired the 15-time European champions with energy, leadership and three outstanding goals.
Teammates stunned by Valverde’s brilliance
The reactions from injured stars watching from the stands captured the magnitude of the moment.
Jude Bellingham looked stunned when Valverde completed his hat-trick with a spectacular effort, lifting the ball over Manchester City defender Marc Guehi before smashing a volley past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Kylian Mbappe rose from his seat to applaud the finish, a strike impressive enough to earn admiration from one of football’s most prolific forwards.
Real full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold admitted he felt the same amazement from the pitch. He told TNT Sports that he had admired Valverde even during his time at Liverpool and described the Uruguayan as “the most underrated footballer on the planet,” highlighting his relentless work rate and the trust teammates place in him.
Childhood struggles forged his mentality
Although the hat-trick grabbed headlines, Valverde has been an essential figure at Real Madrid for several years. He joined the club in 2017 before spending a season on loan at Deportivo La Coruna, gradually becoming a core member of the squad.
The midfielder grew up in Montevideo and often points to his upbringing as a key influence on his attitude toward football and life.
In an interview with UEFA last year, he spoke about the sacrifices made by his parents, explaining that they sometimes skipped meals so he could eat.
Valverde also remembered playing on poor dirt pitches as a child, fields where animals occasionally wandered across the surface. Those early experiences shaped the determination and commitment he now shows on the pitch.
Historic statistics underline special performance
The numbers from the match reveal just how extraordinary Valverde’s contribution was.
Before facing City, he had gone 26 Champions League games without scoring and had never netted more than once in a single match in the competition.
His three goals in the first half equalled the total he had scored across his previous 75 Champions League appearances.
Valverde also became only the second player to record a first-half hat-trick against an English team in the Champions League. The other was Lionel Messi for Barcelona against Arsenal in April 2010.
His first two strikes arrived within 27 minutes, the quickest pair scored by a Real Madrid player in a knockout match at the Bernabeu since Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace against Wolfsburg in April 2016.
A leader defined by versatility
Valverde’s performance also highlighted his adaptability, something that has made him indispensable to Real Madrid.
Earlier in the week he had already delivered in a crucial moment, scoring a 94th-minute winner against Celta Vigo in La Liga to maintain Madrid’s title challenge.
This season he has started 37 of his 39 appearances and has been used in both midfield and defensive roles by coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
With Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold missing games through injury, Valverde spent long periods filling in at full-back despite preferring to play in central midfield. He explained before the City match that adapting to different positions is essential, adding that he always tries to give his best wherever the coach needs him.
Against Manchester City, that dedication produced a night the Bernabéu will not soon forget — and moved Real Madrid a major step closer to the quarter-finals.