Over the past year, Fede Valverde has just got better and better. He offers pace, fighting spirit, physical presence, vision, and superb shooting ability…

On Tuesday, Madrid’s defeat to Leipzig was their first all season. Los Blancos went to Germany without Luka Modric, Karim Benzema... and Valverde.

The Uruguayan has become a key man under Carlo Ancelotti. He’s played on the right wing in most games, but has also featured in central midfield.

In addition to supplying two assists, Valverde has hit seven goals this season - a fine scoring rate that works out at one every other game.

And what’s most striking about Valverde's goal return is his improved shooting from range. He has scored four from outside of the box.

Last season, nobody managed  more than three from outside of the area in LaLiga. Could Valverde surpass Leo Messi’s figures from distance?

The former Barcelona star was  LaLiga's top scorer from outside of  the box in 2020/21 (eight),  2019/20 (nine) and 2018/19 (nine).

“The ball fell to me and I said, ‘I’m not missing this,’” Valverde said of his Clásico goal. He’s starting to realise how dangerous a marksman he is.

A few months ago, Ancelotti told a press conference that he’d retire if Valverde didn’t score 10 goals this term. Only three more to go already…

The player was given a low shooting rating in the video game FIFA,  leading club-mate Vinícius Júnior to joke: “If Fede’s a 74, I’m a 60…”

Valverde is hard work and commitment personified, and is one of the world’s most in-form players. Some even say he’s the top midfielder right now.