Barcelona icon hails Real Madrid midfielder: “Reminded me of Steven Gerrard” | OneFootball

For the better half of the last decade, Luis Suarez tormented Real Madrid’s defence in every El Clasico. The Uruguayan, aptly nicknamed El Pistolero, was known for his killer instinct in front of goal and etched his name into football history as the only player to outscore Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in a season at their peaks.

After a short stint at Atletico Madrid, Suarez closed the curtains on his career in Europe earlier this year and moved to Nacional. He remains a key member of Uruguay’s National team where he shares the dressing room with Federico Valverde.

The Barcelona legend spoke to MARCA recently where he shared his thoughts on Valverde’s growth as a footballer. Speaking about the midfielder’s debut for the National team, he said,

“When Fede Valverde made his debut with the National Team in 2017, I said that he reminded me of Steven Gerrard.”

Having the right environment is crucial for any player to develop his game. Suarez stressed the benefits of being surrounded by the best players in the world and said that Valverde’s astronomical growth was influenced by that factor too.

“Fede Valverde has made great progress, surrounded by big stars. It did him a lot of good.”

In just eight games this season, the 24-year-old has scored four goals and provided two assists. Though traditionally a midfielder, Carlo Ancelotti has found a way to deploy Valverde as a winger this season as the results are a testament to the setup’s success.

Both players are expected to represent La Celeste in the upcoming FIFA World Cup and will look to justify their nation’s perennial tag of being giant killers.