Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has revealed that he was on the cusp of joining Arsenal as a teenager before the North London club turned him down.
The 26-year-old Uruguayan international, now a key player for the Spanish giants, shared the story of his short-lived stint at Arsenal during an interview with Marca.
Valverde, then just 16, was part of Uruguayan club Penarol’s youth setup when he received an opportunity to trial with Arsenal.
The Premier League had a massive following in Uruguay, and for Valverde, joining the Gunners was a dream.
During his trial, he was welcomed by players like Emi Martinez, Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla, and Hector Bellerín, who helped the non-English-speaking teenager adjust to the environment.
“I said, ‘That’s it. This is my club. I’m going to grow here,’” Valverde recalled. “In Uruguay, the Premier League was watched a lot. I imagined a future there.”
Despite feeling a connection to the club, Arsenal ultimately decided not to sign the young midfielder.
🗣️ Fede Valverde: “Arsenal trials? I was 16 years old. I said: ‘That’s it. This is my club. I’m going to grow up here.’
In Uruguay, people looked a lot at the Premier League. I imagined a future there.” [Universo Valdano] pic.twitter.com/vxirkTpcA5
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) November 18, 2024
Valverde at Arsenal – What Could Have Been
Two years later, he joined Real Madrid, and since, he has become one of Los Blancos’ most reliable and versatile players in their quest for domestic and European dominance.
Valverde has racked up 275 appearances for Real Madrid, netting 24 goals and securing a glittering array of silverware including three La Liga titles and two Champions League triumphs.
Reflecting on his brief time at Arsenal, Valverde expressed gratitude for the players who helped him settle in, especially Martínez. However, he admitted that the rejection was tough to swallow at the time.
“Dibu [Martínez] was one of the ones who helped me the most in everything, along with Bellerín, Alexis, and Cazorla,” he shared. “I didn’t know English, and they had to explain all the work to me.”
Had things gone differently, Valverde could have become a stalwart in Arsenal’s midfield.
