Federico Valverde’s Humble Admission Ahead of Uruguay’s Clash with Argentina: ‘I Don’t Know How to Stop Messi

In an honest and humble statement to the media conveyed by Veronica Brunati, Real Madrid star Federico Valverde admitted the daunting challenge of facing Lionel Messi. Valverde, acknowledging Messi’s status as one of the best players globally, shared his awe and respect for the Argentine maestro.

The Real Madrid midfielder has encountered Messi on 12 occasions, both in club and international competitions, experiencing mixed results with six defeats. Despite the competitive history, Valverde’s admiration for Messi’s prowess remains undiminished.

As Uruguay gears up to face Argentina in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Friday, November 17, the spotlight intensifies on the duel between Messi and Valverde, along with the additional challenge presented by Ronald Araujo. The upcoming clash promises to be a spectacle, featuring top-tier talent and showcasing the mutual respect between players on the global stage.