SPORTSWORLD.AM
Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has spoken about the significance of his number eight shirt. The number eight shirt previously belonged to German midfielder Toni Kroos. The player said that he initially did not want to take the number.
"I have spoken to my wife about my desire to not wear this number, mainly out of respect for the previous owner, Toni Kroos. If it were up to me, anyone who has achieved so much and left their mark on the club deserves to have their number retired, like they do in the NBA, so that the number is honored forever, so that Toni is the last to wear it."
"My wife convinced me that I should wear this number, that I deserve it. And when Toni also gave his blessing, of course I felt more relaxed and told myself that this is my moment, that I should enjoy it every day when I go to training with this number on my back. Just treat every game as if it were my last. Of course, it was difficult at first, but it was worth it," Valverde was quoted as saying by ESPN.