Valverde's Discoverer: Fede Wasn't Outstanding in His Youth

Nestor Goncalves, the coach credited with discovering Federico Valverde, recalls their first encounter when Valverde was just nine years old. Goncalves mentions that while others doubted Valverde's future in football, he saw the innate talent that would eventually lead Valverde to become a key player for Real Madrid.

Goncalves states, 'Some kids, you can tell right away they won't make it as footballers, but I knew Fede had the skills.' Despite initial impressions, he was confident that Valverde would prove the skeptics wrong.

Reflecting on his experience coaching future stars, Goncalves notes that players like Facundo Pellistri, Facundo Torres, Santiago Bueno, and Valverde were all part of his team. He highlights that while they faced challenges, including a heavy defeat against Gremio, many of his players went on to represent the Uruguayan national team, underscoring the effectiveness of his developmental approach.