Forlan: Valverde can become what Sergio Ramos is like at Real Madrid

Forlan: Valverde can become what Sergio Ramos is like at Real Madrid

Diego Forlan has thrown his confidence behind Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde, who has become an undisputed starter at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu this season.

The former Uruguayan striker, who was a teammate of Valverde's at Penarol in the 2015/16 campaign, believes that the compatriot could have the same importance to Real Madrid as what Sergio Ramos has had in defence over the last decade.

"He has the qualities to keep growing," Forlan told Radio MARCA when asked about Valverde.

"He's a good boy, a good professional.

"I'm not at all surprised by what I'm seeing of him, because [his qualities] were already there.

"He is gaining confidence, maturity, experience and is a player that Real Madrid's supporters will enjoy for many years.

"I'll risk saying that he can become in midfield what Sergio Ramos has been as a defender.

"I'm not surprised by his emergence, because it comes with age.

"Nowadays he's realising where he is and he's [now got] the maturity of life.

"That will help him a lot; the confidence, maturity, knowing the conditions he has and that he is appreciated a lot at the club."

Forlan also discussed Atletico Madrid, one of his former teams, and he believes that they have a good chance of lifting the Champions League, if and when it returns.

"Not just because they beat Liverpool, I will tell you that Atletico have a chance to be champions," he stated.

"If they have more of a chance, it is because they passed the [last-16 stage] and because they took an important team out of the competition.

"For me, they always had [the ability to do so, given] the team they have."

The Uruguayan used to lead the line at Atletico, but he believes that Alvaro Morata, the current No.9, is the right man to have that responsibility.

"He's proved that on every team he's been on," Forlan said.

"Each player is different; he scored an important goal the other day at Anfield.

"Each one in their own way, leaving their mark at different times."

A lot was expected of Joao Felix in his debut season at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, but Forlan has stressed that the 20-year-old just needs time.

"We're all people, we're not machines," he responded.

"We need time to adapt, to understand the coach.

"There is a reason why UEFA sets league levels and qualifies them in different ways; everything has its own process and time."
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