“I wasn’t born to be a fullback.”

Federico Valverde said those words in Almaty, Kazakhstan, less than 200 miles from the Chinese border, in September 2025. At the time, they were viewed as a shot at Xabi Alonso, who had been using him at fullback out of necessity. It wasn’t a new experience for the Uruguayan. Carlo Ancelotti had also used him extensively as a wingback. Valverde accepted the role, but he didn’t particularly like it. And this season, circumstances have led José Mourinho to do the same.

Valverde’s versatility

It worked brilliantly against Villarreal. From that position, Valverde set up Diomande for the winning goal. But Mourinho knows the situation, and he made that clear after the game.

“We have two good fullbacks. What Fede did was a specific situation.”

This is nothing new in Real Madrid’s history. AS spoke to Fernando Hierro, Guti, Iván Campo, Rafa Alkorta and Miguel Torres, five veterans who know all about playing out of position and have some advice for Valverde.

Being able to perform in multiple positions is, in principle, a strength. But it isn’t an absolute rule.

“When players are moved around too much, they eventually start losing their confidence,” said Hierro, a center back who also spent plenty of time playing as a defensive midfielder and scored 127 goals for Real Madrid.

Miguel Torres, a specialist who played all four positions across the back line, sees the upside.

“If you can perform in several positions, you increase your chances of playing. When several coaches use you in different positions, it’s because they recognize your ability to adapt, tactical intelligence and commitment to the team. I always saw it as a sign of trust.”

The adjustment

Valverde can’t be surprised by being asked to play fullback. He knows the position well. For others, the transition comes out of nowhere, as it did for Iván Campo.

At Real Madrid, Campo played center back in both a four-man and five-man defense, including in the 2000 Champions League final. Later, at Bolton, he unexpectedly became a fan favorite as a midfielder.

“I had Djorkaeff and Okocha ahead of me, and playing in midfield with them meant covering a lot of ground. But the coach, Sam Allardyce, told me just before a game against that invincible Arsenal team with Henry and the others that I was going to play in midfield. We hadn’t practiced it in training or anything. We were on the field for a while before the game and he told me.”

So the debate is clear: Where should Valverde play?

Guti, a natural midfielder who was forced to play as an emergency striker during the 2000-01 season and scored 18 goals, would rather see the Uruguayan on the wing.

“As a defensive midfielder, that’s where he shines the least. On the wing, both higher up and as a fullback, that’s his best position because of his power, physical ability and ability to deliver the final ball. He would stand out much more.”

Miguel Torres agrees with his former teammate.

“Fede is at a point where he has to think about where he wants to take his career. I have no doubt that as a right back or right wingback, he can become one of the best in the world. He has an extraordinary opportunity to be a decisive player for many years.”

Iván Campo isn’t so sure.

“He plays a fundamental role in midfield, but he needs more from his teammates. He can’t cover that much ground to get forward, defend and move the ball...”

Alkorta, meanwhile, believes Madrid should leave the defending to actual defenders.

“I don’t think Valverde is better there than Dumfries or Trent, and that’s saying something because neither of them are great defenders either. But if you compare him, for example, with Carvajal... If Mourinho believes he’s the best option, we’ll respect that. But without being a natural fullback, I’m not convinced.”

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