Arsenal fans are no strangers to hearing about “what could have been” when it comes to top talents slipping through the club’s fingers. From Zlatan Ibrahimović to Yaya Touré, the Gunners have a history of narrowly missing out on future superstars. But one name that might sting even more in hindsight? Federico Valverde.
The Real Madrid midfield powerhouse once had a golden opportunity to join Arsenal as a teenager but turned it down—not for money, but for family.
Valverde’s Arsenal Trial—Why He Said No
At just 16 years old, Valverde was one of the hottest young prospects in Uruguay, catching the attention of top European clubs. Arsène Wenger, then Arsenal’s manager, saw the potential and invited the teenage sensation for a trial in London.
However, despite the offer of a lucrative contract, Valverde decided to stay in Uruguay rather than make the move to North London. Speaking to The Players’ Tribune, he opened up about the difficult decision:
“They sent me on trial to London for a week, and I just wasn’t comfortable. If you only think of material things, it sounds great. But we are not robots. The reality was that my family couldn’t come to London with me. I’d have to live alone, not speaking the language, at 16 years old.”
For Valverde, the prospect of moving to a foreign country without the support of his family was simply too much. He prioritized his personal well-being over financial gain—a decision that, in the long run, worked out perfectly for him.
“For every one kid who succeeds moving overseas, you don’t see the 100 who fail. I was either crazy enough or courageous enough to say no. Give me freezing showers as long as I can stay with my family. In my head, I was thinking I would stay in Uruguay for my whole career.”
What Arsenal Missed Out On
Fast forward eight years, and Federico Valverde is one of the best midfielders in world football. A key player for Real Madrid, he has played a pivotal role in La Liga and Champions League triumphs, proving himself as one of the most complete and versatile midfielders in the game.
Arsenal’s missed opportunity with Valverde is reminiscent of the club’s failure to secure stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé at young ages. Had the Uruguayan decided to stay in England, who knows? He could have been the heartbeat of Mikel Arteta’s midfield today rather than bossing the game in Madrid.
A Sliding Doors Moment
While Arsenal has rebuilt itself into a Premier League title contender, the absence of a midfielder like Valverde in their squad remains a classic case of “what if?”
With his energy, technical brilliance, and leadership, it’s hard not to imagine what might have been had Valverde worn the red and white of Arsenal instead of the iconic white of Real Madrid.