‘Uruguayan ace’ Federico Valverde (25, Real Madrid),안전놀이터 who is visiting Korea this time, is evaluated as a representative of an unfavorable player among domestic fans for his tearing eyes and rough tackling towards Lee Kang-in. After scoring against Portugal at the U-20 World Cup held in Korea in 2017, he went viral after performing a tear-jerking ceremony. This action contains the meaning of belittling Asians.
In addition, last year in the group stage of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, he met with Korea and made a rough tackle toward Lee Kang-in (Mallorca) and then fired an’uppercut ceremony’. In the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Mallorca, Lee Kang-in was spotted laughing after tackling him.
Over the past six years, public opinion has reached its worst as he has repeatedly behaved in a peculiar way toward South Korea. Meanwhile, Valverde is visiting Korea this time. He can’t help but look. Uruguay, led by Valverde, will return to Korea after a 1-1 draw in Japan and play the second A-match in March at the Seoul World Cup Stadium at 8:00 pm on the 28th.
Valverde is expected to be the center of the match in another sense. He plays as a confident starting midfielder for one of the best clubs in the world, Real Madrid. He scored a ‘career high’ by scoring 12 goals in 42 matches this season, including the Cup. He is a talented person who lives up to what is often said to be world class.
Among the members of Uruguay this time, most of the main players were missing. Diego Godin (Vélez Sarsfield), Luis Suárez (Gremiu), Edinson Cavani (Valencia), Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Jose Jimenez (Atletico Madrid), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham), Giorchian de Arascaeta (Flamengo), Darwin Núñez (Liverpool), and Ronald Araujo (Barcelona) were absent due to injury and disciplinary action.
In the match against Japan held in Tokyo on the 24th, he appeared as a de facto 1.5 team lacking experience and skills. Difficulties were expected because it was an away match in Asia, with the manager absent, but it ended in a 1-1 draw. The player who scored Uruguay’s goal was Valverde. In the 38th minute of the first half, when a right-footed volley shot from the front of the arc hit the goal post, it was pushed back with a calm header. He played drums and janggu all by himself.
Valverde appeared as an attacking midfielder and played full-time without being substituted. On this day, both teams recorded the only 8-point rating (8.0 points, based on sofa score). Due to the absence of a lot of senior players, the captain’s armband for the first time in his life on this day stood out in many ways.
Valverde was Bentuho’s biggest threat in the last World Cup. He hit Korea’s goal with a total of three shots, including one that hit the post at the end of the second half. The MVP of the match that ended in a 0-0 draw was Valverde. Valverde combined his activity, fighting spirit and shooting ability. Our midfield team centered on Lee Jae-seong (Mainz), Hwang In-beom (Olympiacos), and Jung Woo-yeong (Al Sadd) must not lose sight of it for a second.
The confrontation with Lee Kang-in draws attention due to two tackles, but in terms of influence within the national team and recognition in Europe, it is rather comparable to Klins Manho’s captain Son Heung-min (Tottenham)’s status. Valverde has an estimated ransom of 100 million euros (approximately 140 billion won), calculated on the transfer fee evaluation site ‘Transfermarkt’. 7th in the world and 2nd among central midfielders. The highest player in Korea is Son Heung-min with 60 million euros (approximately 84 billion won). Klinsmanho, who drew 2-2 with Colombia, must put Valverde to rest to win his first win.