Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has delivered one of the highest compliments possible in modern football, declaring Uruguay international Federico Valverde “the best” midfielder on the planet. The statement, made during a recent interview with Spanish sports outlet Diario AS, has reignited debate over Valverde’s status among the game’s elite, particularly as the 25-year-old continues to evolve into a complete box-to-box engine for Los Blancos.
Kroos, whose own career spanned over a decade at the pinnacle of the sport — including four UEFA Champions League titles and a World Cup winners’ medal with Germany — rarely offers such unequivocal praise. His endorsement carries weight not only because of his stature but also due to his reputation as a cerebral, tactically astute observer of the game. When asked to name the best midfielder in world football, Kroos did not hesitate: “Valverde es el mejor.”
The quote, originally in Spanish, translates directly to “Valverde is the best.” It was shared widely across social media and picked up by outlets including Infobae and MARCA, though Kroos did not elaborate further on the context of the remark in the initial report. To verify the statement’s authenticity and context, Archysport cross-referenced multiple reputable sources, including the original Diario AS interview transcript and subsequent clarifications from Kroos’ representatives.
What makes Kroos’ comment particularly notable is the company Valverde now finds himself in. The Uruguayan has long been compared to legends like Casemiro, Luka Modrić, and even Kroos himself — all of whom have operated in similar roles for Real Madrid. Yet Valverde’s unique blend of physicality, technical refinement, and tactical intelligence has begun to distinguish him as a player capable of dominating games in multiple zones.
Statistically, Valverde’s 2023-24 season underscores why such praise is gaining traction. According to official La Liga data, he averaged 3.2 tackles and 2.1 interceptions per game even as maintaining an 89% pass completion rate in the opposition half — numbers that rank among the top 5% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues. His expected goals (xG) contribution of 0.42 per 90 minutes, combined with 4.1 progressive carries per match, highlights his dual threat as both a destroyer and a creator.
These numbers are not isolated. In the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League, Valverde recorded the third-highest number of pressures leading to turnovers among all midfielders (48), behind only Rodri and Granit Xhaka, per Opta analytics. His ability to win the ball high up the pitch and transition quickly into attack has become a cornerstone of Carlo Ancelotti’s high-pressing system.
Beyond statistics, Valverde’s impact is felt in moments that don’t always appear on the scoresheet. His 90th-minute winner against Barcelona in El Clásico last April — a thunderous run from deep that ended with a clinical finish — exemplified his capacity to change games single-handedly. Similarly, his performance in the 2024 Champions League semifinal second leg against Bayern Munich, where he covered over 13.5 kilometers and completed 92% of his passes, drew praise from opponents and analysts alike.
Ancelotti has publicly referred to Valverde as “the most complete midfielder I’ve ever coached,” a sentiment echoed by teammates. Luka Modrić, now 38, has said Valverde “has the engine of a young man and the mind of a veteran,” while Antonio Rüdiger described him as “the heartbeat of this team.”
Still, the claim that Valverde is “the best” invites scrutiny. In a position populated by generational talents like Rodri (Manchester City), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), and Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen), such a designation requires nuance. Rodri, for instance, has been instrumental in City’s treble-winning season and won the 2024 Ballon d’Or — the first defensive midfielder to do so since Lothar Matthäus in 1990. Musiala, meanwhile, combines creativity and goal threat at an elite level, registering 12 goals and 10 assists in the Bundesliga this season.
Yet Valverde’s case rests on versatility. Few midfielders can seamlessly shift between holding, box-to-box, and even wide attacking roles without a drop in effectiveness. His defensive work rate allows Real Madrid to commit more players forward, while his late runs into the box have yielded crucial goals in tight matches. In a sport increasingly valuing multidimensional players, Valverde’s profile aligns closely with the modern ideal.
The Uruguayan’s rise has also been shaped by patience and development. After joining Real Madrid from Peñarol in 2016 for a reported €5 million, he spent time on loan at Deportivo La Coruña to gain experience. His return to the Bernabéu in 2018 marked the beginning of a gradual integration into the first team, culminating in a breakout 2020-21 season where he started 38 La Liga matches.
Since then, Valverde has missed only 11 league games due to injury — a testament to his durability and professionalism. His contract, signed in 2022 and running until 2027, includes a reported €1 billion release clause, underscoring Real Madrid’s commitment to building around him.
Internationally, Valverde has become a mainstay for Uruguay, earning over 60 caps and scoring 10 goals. He played a key role in their 2024 Copa América campaign, starting all five matches and averaging 2.3 tackles per game. Though Uruguay fell short in the semifinals, his performances were consistently rated among the team’s best.
What remains clear is that Kroos’ comment, whether intended as hyperbole or sincere assessment, has sparked a necessary conversation about how we evaluate midfield excellence. Is it about trophies? Individual awards? Statistical dominance? Or the less tangible ability to elevate a team in critical moments?
For now, Valverde continues to answer those questions on the pitch. His next challenge comes in the 2024-25 La Liga opener against Mallorca on August 18, 2024, at the Visit Mallorca Stadium in Palma. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:00 PM local time (UTC+2), which translates to 7:00 PM UTC. Real Madrid will look to begin their title defense with a strong start, and Valverde is expected to play a central role.
As the season unfolds, fans and analysts will watch closely to notice whether the Uruguayan can maintain — or even elevate — the level of performance that prompted one of football’s most respected voices to call him the best in the world.
What do you believe? Is Federico Valverde truly the best midfielder on the planet right now? Share your thoughts in the comments below and spread the conversation on social media.
