If anyone is in need of a holiday, it's Federico Valverde. The Real Madrid midfielder played more minutes than any other footballer this season.
Lungs like a horse, tireless, and always available few players in world football embody these traits as consistently and impressively as Federico Valverde.
The Uruguayan midfielder has long been admired for his energy, versatility, and tactical intelligence, but the 2024/25 season has elevated his reputation to new heights. According to The Athletic, Valverde played more minutes than any other professional footballer across all competitions this season, standing alone at the top of a list that includes some of the game’s most durable and committed athletes.
Real Madrid, as ever, had a demanding calendar. With deep runs in every competition La Liga, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Super Cup, and the expanded FIFA Club World Cup the club ended the campaign having played 68 official matches, the most of any team in Europe. Remarkably, Valverde featured in nearly all of them. Including international duty with Uruguay, he amassed a staggering total of 6,674 minutes on the pitch since the season began with the UEFA Super Cup clash against Atalanta Bergamo on August 14, 2024. When broken down, that total is equivalent to playing 73 full 90-minute matches nearly two full seasons' worth of football condensed into just under eleven months.
This extraordinary workload not only reflects Valverde’s importance to both club and country, but also underscores his exceptional physical condition and commitment. Whether operating as a central midfielder, a box-to-box engine, or even filling in as a right-back when needed, Valverde has become one of the most indispensable players in world football. While many stars are rotated or rested to manage fatigue and avoid injury, Valverde is the rare case of a player who thrives under a relentless schedule, seemingly growing stronger as others wear down.
His numbers are even more impressive when compared to other high-minute performers. Bruno Fernandes, known for his own work rate at Manchester United, played 6,343 minutes this season 331 fewer than Valverde. AC Milan’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan comes next with 6,108 minutes, a total that benefits from the unique ability of goalkeepers to play every minute of every match. Even Barcelona winger Raphinha, another regular starter, comes in at a distant 5,785 minutes, completing the top ten of the list compiled by The Athletic.
And yet, despite this heavy load, Valverde maintained an elite level of performance. In La Liga, he was one of Real Madrid’s most consistent players, providing crucial assists, breaking up attacks, and covering ground at an incredible rate. In the Champions League, his energy in midfield was instrumental in several tight knockout matches. For Uruguay, he continued to be a leader and central figure, helping guide the national team through key fixtures during the international windows.
Valverde's influence goes beyond stats and minutes, though. He’s become a symbol of reliability for Madrid a player Carlo Ancelotti could turn to in any situation. His ability to cover every blade of grass, link defence and attack, and maintain tactical discipline has made him one of the most trusted players in the squad. Even when others were rested, rotated, or recovering, Valverde remained ever-present, both physically and mentally.
The only thing Valverde hadn’t had until now was a proper break. While many players jetted off for their summer holidays weeks ago, his season continued due to Real Madrid's participation in the FIFA Club World Cup. Unfortunately for Los Blancos, their campaign came to an end in the semi-finals, where they were convincingly beaten by a clinical Paris Saint-Germain side. The French champions now face Chelsea in the final, but for Valverde, that defeat marked the end of an exhausting yet brilliant campaign.
Now, finally, the midfielder will get some time to rest. After a season where he covered thousands of kilometres, it’s a well-earned break albeit a short one. With preseason preparations looming and the 2025/26 campaign set to begin earlier than usual due to the international calendar, Valverde will have only a few precious weeks to recharge before he’s back in training.
His 2024/25 season won’t be remembered for a single defining moment, but rather for the sheer weight of his consistency. In an era of rotation policies, data-driven load management, and injury prevention protocols, Valverde defied the trend and played more minutes than anyone else and did so without ever looking out of place or slowing down. It’s a testament to his professionalism, fitness, and love for the game.
As Real Madrid now look ahead to another season filled with expectations and challenges, one thing is certain: as long as Federico Valverde is available, he will remain at the heart of everything they do.
