Forlán Praises Valverde but Won't Reveal His Position for Uruguay
Diego Forlán praised Federico Valverde's versatility ahead of the friendly between Uruguay and Argentina, but declined to reveal where he plans to deploy the Real Madrid midfielder in his return to the national team.
Uruguay national team head coach Diego Forlán discussed Federico Valverde's return to La Celeste, highlighting his ability to play in several positions on the field. However, the manager declined to reveal the role the Real Madrid player will have in the upcoming match against Argentina.
During a press conference, the former Uruguayan striker, who won the Golden Ball at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, explained that Valverde's versatility is a valuable asset for his team.
What Position Will Federico Valverde Play Against Argentina?
Although Forlán acknowledged that Federico Valverde can perform at a high level in different areas of the field, he said his position will depend on how he organizes Uruguay's midfield.
The manager believes this area is essential to the team's overall performance and will determine where he can best utilize the Real Madrid captain's abilities based on his midfield setup.
The match will also mark Valverde's return to the national team after missing the previous three games due to injury.
It will also be his first appearance under Forlán, who previously enjoyed a successful playing career with Atlético de Madrid and Villarreal.
Forlán Highlights the Historic Rivalry Between Uruguay and Argentina
The manager also discussed the significance of the friendly against Argentina, the reigning South American champion and a finalist in the last two editions of the World Cup.
"We know it's going to be a great match, very competitive, against an outstanding national team," Forlán said.
The coach explained that he did not hesitate to accept the opportunity to face Argentina because of the history and rivalry between the two nations.
"These matches, even when they're friendlies, carry a rivalry that goes back many years and a lot of history. For us and for them, facing each other is an exciting challenge," he added.
Uruguay Also Prepares to Face the Dominican Republic
Following the Río de la Plata rivalry match, Uruguay will play another friendly against the Dominican Republic on November 17 in Maldonado.
Forlán welcomed the opportunity to play at Estadio Domingo Burgueño Miguel, highlighting how close the stands are to the playing field.
La Celeste will continue its preparations at the Complejo Celeste training facility before traveling to Buenos Aires.
The match between Uruguay and Argentina will take place this Friday at 6:00 PM ET, in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the final international break of 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Diego Forlán praised Federico Valverde's versatility but did not confirm his position.
- Valverde will return to Uruguay after missing three matches due to injury.
- Uruguay will face Argentina this Friday at 6:00 PM ET.
- Forlán highlighted the historic rivalry between the two national teams.
- La Celeste will also face the Dominican Republic on November 17.
