Uruguay legend Lugano: It was only matter of time before Fede Valverde exploded

Diego Lugano is an institution in Uruguayan football, and he's not surprised by his compatriot Fede Valverde's rise at Real Madrid.

The young midfielder has burst onto the scene at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu this season, but Lugano saw it coming.

"I expected this explosion of Fede Valverde," he told MARCA.

"We knew he was a player with a lot of talent since he was a little boy.

"He has a very specific style of play, he's a fine player, and it was only a matter of time before he exploded at a big European team."

Lugano continued to praise Valverde's patience in the capital, where he has happily waited for his opportunity.

"Madrid knew how to use him well and they gave him the time he needed to gain confidence," he explained.

"He knew how to wait, and both the club and coach [Zinedine Zidane] deserve credit.

"They knew how to introduce him to the team little by little."