Xabi Alonso has compared Real Madrid star Federico Valverde to Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard following his side’s 3-1 win over Pachuca at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Valverde impressed once again for Madrid, scoring the third goal and wearing the captain’s armband as Los Blancos secured an important victory despite playing with 10 men for most of the game. Raul Asencio was sent off in just the seventh minute, forcing Alonso’s team to dig deep under pressure.
But speaking after the match, Alonso was full of praise for the Uruguayan midfielder, who he believes shares qualities with his former Liverpool teammate.
“I haven’t seen many players with his physical ability,” Alonso told reporters. He reminds me of Steven Gerrard. He can play anywhere, and I’m very happy to be coaching him.”
“Every coach would like to have a Valverde in their team. He made up for the penalty the other day and showed his fighting spirit in the celebration.”
Valverde, who joined Real Madrid in 2017, started the game on the right wing but shifted into central midfield following the early red card. His work rate, pressing, and powerful runs helped Madrid control the game, even with a man down.
Alonso added:
“The team showed discipline and sacrifice, knowing how to control the game without the ball.
We had to defend in a low block and find the right moments. The defensive line held well, and we had good spells of possession.”
Valverde’s versatility and energy have made him a key figure for both club and country. And this isn’t the first time he has drawn comparisons to Gerrard.
In 2022, Luis Suarez, who played with both Valverde and Gerrard, was among the first to point out the similarities.
“There are newspaper archives, back in 2017, when Fede made his debut in the national team, I already said that he reminded me of Steven Gerrard,” Suarez told MARCA. He has similar characteristics: a box-to-box, with a good shot, change of pace, a lot of runs into the box.”
Former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti also agreed. “He has a lot of the same talents as Gerrard,” said Ancelotti. “Federico has everything he needs to reach Gerrard’s level and go even further still.”
Alonso and Gerrard played together at Liverpool between 2004 and 2009, forming one of the most iconic midfield partnerships in modern Premier League history. Together, they lifted the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup a year later.
Now, Alonso finds himself managing a player who reminds him of the man he once called captain – and that’s high praise.
