Fede Valverde: Real Madrid star wiped out player three times during Iran 1-0 Uruguay | OneFootball

Fede Valverde has been playing like a man possessed in 2022/23.

The Uruguayan was a solid performer for Real Madrid last season, but is now dropping world-class performances each week.

Whether he’s deployed on the right-wing or playing in the centre of midfield, Valverde produces quality.

The 24-year-old recently bagged the winning goal in Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory away at Atletico, which came just a few days after he scored during an individual masterclass versus RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

With Valverde in the form of his life, Uruguay may be a threat at the Qatar World Cup later this year, although their preparation for the tournament isn’t exactly going too well.

On Friday, the South American nation were beaten 1-0 by Iran in a warm-up match, FC Porto’s Mehdi Taremi scoring the only goal.

Valverde played the full 90 minutes in the centre of midfield, but was unable to influence proceedings like he has been in Real Madrid colours.

Valverde was heavily involved during Iran 1-0 Uruguay

That certainly wasn’t through a lack of trying, though. Valverde attempted to score on numerous occasions and each time, he highlighted just how powerful his right-footed shots are.

On three occasions in which the former Penarol man took aim from distance, an Iran player was wiped out after being hit by the ball.

Two of the instances saw contact made with the head, while the other saw the ball clatter into the person’s, erm, private parts.

A compilation of Valverde injuring Iran players with his lethal shots has done the rounds on social media and we apologise in advance to all the men who will wince at the final clip in it.

Valverde kept the Iran national team’s medical staff very, very busy on Friday evening. Spare a thought for poor ol’ Shojae Khalilzadeh wearing the No. 4 jersey.

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Who will Uruguay and Valverde play at the 2022 World Cup?

Uruguay have been draw into one of the trickier groups at the World Cup later this year. They will take on Portugal, Ghana and South Korea.

Progression to the knockout stage is anything but a given for the South American nation, especially after their poor showing against Iran.

But with the likes of Valverde, Luis Suarez, Darwin Nunez and Rodrigo Bentancur in the squad, Uruguay can still be labelled as one of the tournament’s ‘dark horses’.