A headline member of the midfield ranks at La Liga giants Real Madrid has confirmed that he is eyeing up the departing Toni Kroos’ iconic no.8 jersey.
The player in question? Federico Valverde.
Kroos and Valverde are known to boast a strong relationship both on and off the pitch, with the latter having made clear time and time again publicly that he considers his teammate to be something of an idol.
Speculation in the media, in turn, has pointed towards the Uruguayan as the leading candidate to take over from Kroos as the new no.8 in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.
And, if the latest comments on the part of Valverde himself are anything to go by, then as much would mark an honour.
Speaking in an interview with Marca on Monday, the 25-year-old was drawn directly on the prospect of taking over from his retiring teammate in Spain’s capital.
And he did not hesitate in responding:
“I would love to. I’ve had a conversation with him, we’ve talked about it. That’s what I told him. I also told my family and I tell everyone.”
Valverde, from here, went on to provide an insight into just why inheriting the 8 would mean so much to him:
“Eight, for me, is just another number. For me numbers don’t mean much. What means a lot is that it comes from him, that he wore it and that he had those words with me to tell me that he wants me to wear that shirt. For me it was something unique, something exciting. I really appreciate that he didn’t do it publicly, that everyone didn’t see it, that he is a great person, that he did it quietly, with me, alone and not for everyone. For me, that’s not just being a good person, but a great person.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
