Fede Valverde, currently a key player for Real Madrid, has revealed how he almost moved to Arsenal in his youth.

Fede Valverde reflects on nearly joining Arsenal in his youth

Uruguayan midfielder Fede Valverde, now a key figure at Real Madrid, has revealed that he nearly signed for Arsenal as a teenager.

Valverde, reflecting on this period of his career, said, “I almost went to Arsenal when I was 16 years old.

“That may be half true. It’s nothing against Arsenal, but I never wanted to go to England.

“I was sent on trial to London for a week and I just didn’t feel comfortable.

“If you only think about material things, it sounds great. But we’re not robots.

“The reality was that my family couldn’t come to London with me. I would have to live alone, without speaking the language, at the age of 16.

“For every child who manages to move abroad, you don’t see the 100 who fail.”

Valverde’s decision not to join Arsenal was influenced by personal considerations, including the difficulty of living alone in a new country without his family and adapting to a new language at a young age.

His choice eventually led him to Real Madrid, where he has developed into a world-class player with a €100m valuation, two La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups and a Champions League winner’s medal.

Valverde’s journey underscores the intricate and personal nature of transfer decisions, where factors beyond football, that we often don’t get to read about in the press, play a crucial role.

His success at Real Madrid, however, is a testament to his talent and determination, qualities that would absolutely have benefited Arsenal had circumstances been different.

Valverde’s story is a poignant reminder of the paths not taken in football and the complex decisions young talents face in their careers.