Real Madrid star Fede Valverde explains how Uruguay manager Marelo Bielsa improved him

Real Madrid midfielder Faith Valverde he is arguably one of their best players this season, with perhaps only Toni Kroos and Jude Bellingham rivaling his performances. The Uruguayan continues to add strings to his bow, and his national team boss Marcelo Bielsa is one of the reasons.

Valverde was defined by his goals last season, getting into the box and putting up his best numbers, but this year he has been more understated, doing much of the work alongside Kroos to help Real Madrid dominate the parties, amid a rotating cast around them. At international level, Uruguay are going from strength to strength with Valverde at the heart of the side.

Asked by Relief what he had learned from Bielsa, Valverde explained that he was faster mentally.

“Above all, dedication and work. He deserves all the respect for what he thinks and believes, which is different from what we are working on in the national team. It is a different style, a different game and a different intention. With him I have improved a lot my mental balance and peace of mind, because although football with him seems crazy, in the end we worked a lot on defensive and offensive balance. It makes us improve, it helps us know how to think in difficult moments than before It was much more difficult.”

The 25-year-old said he wasn't tired yet, despite having accumulated 3,284 minutes, and noted that he was trying to enjoy himself, as a footballer's career is short. He was also asked about the possibility of a second league and the Champions League.

“It is difficult, but not impossible. We are Real Madrid, the team with the most Champions League and the team with the most hierarchy, we have to show why we are Madrid and we have won so many things, and also be humble in the league to continue competition to the max.”

Valverde's Uruguay face the Basque Country in San Mames on Saturday, before taking on Ivory Coast on Tuesday.