Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde secured a 4-3 victory on penalties following a 1-1 second-leg draw at the Etihad Stadium. The result ensured the Spanish side progressed to the semi-finals of the competition. Valverde received the player of the match award for his contribution in Manchester, according to UEFA.
The Uruguay international previously spent one week on trial at Arsenal as a 16-year-old in 2014. Despite training with the first team under Arsene Wenger, the Premier League club did not offer him a permanent contract. Valverde eventually joined Real Madrid from Penarol in 2016 for a reported fee of £4.3m.
He has since made more than 250 appearances for the club, winning two Champions League titles and three La Liga trophies. In 2023, the midfielder signed a contract extension keeping him at the Bernabeu until June 2029, per Real Madrid. His recent performance against Manchester City reinforces his status as a key figure in Carlo Ancelotti's squad, according to Sky Sports.
