Federico Valverde talks about his desire of playing for Arsenal before Real Madrid break through

MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 05: Federico Valverde of Real Madrid looks on during the warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Real Madrid C.F. and AC Milan at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 05, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

The Real Madrid star revealed he felt at home during his brief stint at Arsenal; however, the Gunners decided he wasn’t a good fit and released him.

Real Madrid star Federico Valverde has spoken out about a failed trial he had at Arsenal in 2014, despite initially feeling at home in north London. The Uruguayan midfielder, now 26, shared his experience in an interview with Marca, reflecting on what could have been a different path in his football career.

Valverde was just 16 years old when he was invited to Arsenal by then-manager Arsene Wenger for a week-long trial. The young talent was excited about the opportunity, having grown up watching the Premier League and dreaming of playing in England. He trained alongside some of Arsenal’s star players, including Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez, and Hector Bellerin. Valverde described the experience as “spectacular” and felt an immediate connection to the club and its culture.

During his trial, Valverde received significant support from several Arsenal players. One of the most helpful was Emiliano Martinez, who is now the goalkeeper for Aston Villa. Martinez, along with Bellerin, Sanchez, and Cazorla, helped Valverde navigate the challenges of training in a new environment, especially since he didn’t speak English at the time.

Despite his enthusiasm and the support he received, Arsenal ultimately decided not to sign Valverde. The decision was a disappointment for the young midfielder, who had imagined a future at the club. He returned to his boyhood club, Penarol, in Uruguay, where he made his first-team debut in August 2015, just a day after turning 17.

Valverde’s journey didn’t end there. The following summer, he was snapped up by Real Madrid, initially playing with the youth squad. He made his first-team debut in October 2018 and has since become a key player for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Valverde has won numerous trophies with Real Madrid, including two Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, and two Club World Cup trophies.