‘What my wife gives me today, Casemiro used to give me in the dressing room’ – Real Madrid star Fede Valverde

Real Madrid star Fede Valverde has explained that his toughest critic is not Carlo Ancleotti or himself, but his wife Mina Bonino. Previously, it was Manchester United midfielder Casemiro who helped him establish himself at the club.

Valverde had a difficult path to a starting role, but was one of the original talents brought in from Latin America as a teenager, working his way into the squad after a loan spell at Deportivo La Coruna. The 26-year-old explained that Casemiro always gave him the advice he needed.

“You arrive and see at the table that Marcelo, Casemiro, Bale, Benzema, Sergio Ramos are sitting… Casemiro was the one who supported me. He hugged me and said, “Sit here.” As for the lockers, we were also very close in the locker room. Casemiro doesn't have to shout on the pitch to give an indication or correct someone. He was a close teammate, always with constructive criticism. What my wife gives me today [criticism]Casemiro said to me in the dressing room: 'Fede, you have to train more,'” he told Universo Valdano, as quoted by Diario AS.

Bonino, who is active on social media with her opinions, also worked as a football journalist in Argentina and eventually moved to Madrid to join Valverde. However, she still has a devastating eye.

“After the match in which Ajax eliminated us, in which I played little or no play, I get into the car for a simple action after the match and it starts: 'Why are you passing it on? Why don't you shoot on target? 'Why didn't you participate in this piece?'” the Uruguayan explained.

Valverde is one of the most beloved players for Real Madrid fans today and has earned his place and reputation through hard work and perseverance. While he clearly has plenty of talent, his fighting spirit and willingness to be unselfish has knitted together several Los Blancos iterations in recent years, most notably on the right during their 2022 Champions League triumph.