‘Not ready’ – Real Madrid star explains why he refused to take a penalty vs Man City | OneFootball

A headline member of the midfield ranks at La Liga giants Real Madrid has provided an insight into his decision not to take responsibility of a penalty, during the club’s recent shootout downing of Manchester City.

Real, of course, booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League early last week.

As much came courtesy of victory over reigning holders Man City, at The Etihad.

After the two sides could not be separated across a full 210 minutes of football over two legs, proceedings in Manchester were left to be decided from 12 yards.

And, when all was said and done, it was the visitors who held their nerve, dispatching four penalties to City’s three, to take another step towards a coveted 15th Champions League crown.

On target for Real Madrid during the shootout were several surprising players, including defensive trio Nacho, Lucas Vázquez, and Antonio Rüdiger.

This came with a whole host of the capital giants’ most prominent stars having already departed the action, either late in normal time, or during the ensuing 30 minutes of extra-time.

One who was eligible to step up, but opted against as much, however, comes in the form of Federico Valverde.

Uruguayan international Valverde enjoyed a typically productive outing at The Etihad, and was still on the pitch upon the referee’s whistle bringing a close to the 120 minutes.

In the end, though, he came to the conclusion that he was simply not in the right frame of mind to step up from 12 yards, therefore trusting his teammates to get the job done.

“If you don’t feel well, you’re not going to be any less of a footballer for telling the truth,” Valverde explained during an interview with ESPN Uruguay, as cited by Marca. “And I think that in that moment you also have to get rid of that pride and ego, and if I’m not ready for this moment I leave it to another teammate.”

Conor Laird | GSFN