The 2025-26 season did not start in the very best fashion for the Real Madrid star Federico Valverde. Injuries to Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold meant he had to play out of position, as a right-back, for a significant part of the first half of the season, a circumstance that led to a rare public complaint from the Uruguayan.
In general, there were reports of some tension between the midfielder and the former manager Xabi Alonso, as the latter tried to stamp his authority on the Merengue squad in his first season in charge. However, after losing the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona, Alonso was relieved of his duties, and Arbeloa appointed in his stead.
This change is management has been a clear turning point in Valverde’s season so far. Arbeloa has not only returned the Uruguayan to his preferred position in midfield, clearly helped by the returns of Carvajal and Trent, but also allowed him complete freedom on the pitch.
The result has been a significant increase in the midfielder’s impact and decisiveness, which is clearly reflected in the number of his goal contributions. In first half of the 2025-26 season, Valverde had only 4 assists to his name, while in only the first three months of 2026, his goal contributions have already reached four times this number, i.e., 16, with 8 goals and 8 assists.
This decisive form had come in the last few games with Alonso, as he provided 2 assists against Real Betis and then scored and assisted in the Super Cup semi-final against Atletico Madrid.
But his performances have been immense since Arbeloa’s arrival, especially in the month of March, during which he scored in three consecutive games, against Celta Vigo, Manchester City, and Celta Vigo. In the first leg of the UCL Round of 16 tie against the Citizens, he scored his first career hat-trick. He then also scored in the derby against Atletico, taking his La Liga numbers this season to 4 goals and 7 assists.
In the 2022-23 season, Carlo Ancelotti was able to get 19 goal contributions, 12 goals and 7 assists, from Federico Valverde. This season, Alvaro Arbeloa has gotten out 16 goal contributions from him, and it remains to be seen whether he would be able to reach his best numbers or even improve on them this season.
