Real Madrid began the season with Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold as the options for right-back, which suggested the position was fully secured. A 26-year-old reinforcement was arriving to support the veteran captain, who was returning from a cruciate ligament injury. What no one anticipated was that both players would end up sidelined for lengthy periods at the same time. Carvajal is not expected to return until early 2026, while Alexander-Arnold is projected to come back in February.

Fede Valverde already stepped in for both earlier in the season, when they were simultaneously unavailable between September and October. Now, as the team approaches the final stretch of 2025, the Uruguayan once again emerges as the most reliable solution to provide the balance and playing style that Xabi Alonso demands. Valverde offers a level of versatility unmatched by any other player in Europe and has proven that he can perform at a high level at right-back whenever needed. “He is a very complete and generous player. He perfectly represents the club’s values and having him in the squad is a true luxury,” Xabi Alonso said.

Although the Uruguayan, one of the team’s captains, had finally settled into the right midfield role, the repeated injuries to Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold have forced him to return to the right-back position to cover their absence.

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