Federico Valverde has established himself as Real Madrid’s first-choice right-back after a series of impressive performances in a position he has never preferred. His form has become one of the defining features of the club’s early season under Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho.
The Uruguay international has not merely filled a gap in the team. His displays have helped raise Real Madrid’s overall level at a time when injuries and suspensions have forced Mourinho to reconsider his defensive options.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, Vinicius Junior’s dismissal against Villarreal led to Valverde returning to right-back. He produced an outstanding performance in the clasico before being substituted in the 62nd minute because he was unable to continue.
Valverde created Diomande’s goal – the player’s first for Real Madrid – and was joint-top for chances created, with three alongside Diomande. He also completed 12 passes in the final third, the second-highest total in the team behind Arda Guler’s 18.
His defensive figures were also notable. Valverde recovered possession four times, made two interceptions, cleared the ball once and succeeded with his only attempted tackle. He won four of five duels and was not dribbled past during the match.
A shift in Mourinho’s midfield plans was also evident in the return match in Rome. Valverde began in a double-pivot midfield alongside Aurelien Tchouameni, but Arda Guler’s introduction for Denzel Dumfries, who had played at right-back that evening, confirmed the expected change in the team’s structure.
Valverde’s return to the flank has reduced the opportunities for both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dumfries, despite right-back being the natural position for each player.
Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid in summer 2025 as an available option with his contract approaching its end, while the club needed a natural replacement for Dani Carvajal. Real Madrid paid 12m euros to allow him to play at the Club World Cup, where he impressed with his assists but also showed defensive weaknesses.
Three recurring muscle injuries added to his difficulties. Two resulted in lengthy absences, limiting him to 30 appearances – 21 in La Liga and nine in the Champions League.
This season, Alexander-Arnold played in a double-pivot midfield against Inter because Arda Guler, Eduardo Camavinga and Bernardo Silva were unavailable. However, since Mourinho switched to Valverde at right-back, he has played only 53 minutes: 52 against Villarreal and just one in the clasico.
Dumfries joined Real Madrid this year from Inter for 20m euros and has featured in 10 of the club’s 13 official matches, playing close to 600 minutes. During the September international break, manager Xavi used him for 350 of the possible 360 minutes.
Mourinho had insisted both players would be needed earlier in the season, saying: “It is not possible to think that one of them will play 60 matches while the other plays no matches. Or that one plays 10 matches and the other 50. That is impossible; we have a lot of quality.”
Now, the match against Racing Santander on 01 November 2026 offers Alexander-Arnold and Dumfries another chance to stake their claim. Valverde was left out because he had not fully recovered from the injury sustained against Barcelona, but the final decision remains with Mourinho.
