Federico Valverde was raised in a Christian household, and various profiles name his faith as Christianity. However, he has not publicly discussed religion in depth, so his personal beliefs remain largely private.
Quick Profile: Federico Valverde
| Full name | Federico Santiago Valverde Dipetta |
| Birth date | 22 July 1998 (age 27) |
| Birthplace | Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Nationality | Uruguayan |
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Religion | Not publicly confirmed; often references God |
What Religion Is Federico Valverde?
Valverde himself has not publicly declared a faith, and no reputable source provides a clear answer. In available interviews and profiles, he simply does not discuss religion directly. However, observers have noted that Valverde often uses religious expressions in conversation. For example, in his personal essay he casually prayed to “God” for something as mundane as doing his laundry right. During more serious moments he again invoked God, saying “thank God” after learning his baby son was healthy. His choice of a religiously significant baby name, Bautista (meaning “baptist” in Spanish), also hints at Catholic tradition. These clues point toward a Christian (likely Catholic) cultural background, which would be typical for someone from Uruguay.
Still, it’s important not to assume. Uruguay is one of the most secular countries in Latin America, and many public figures keep their beliefs private. Without a direct statement from Valverde or a reliable biographical source, we cannot state his religion for certain.
Early Life
Federico Santiago Valverde Dipetta was born on 22 July 1998 in the Unión neighborhood of Montevideo. He grew up in a football-loving family; his parents are Julio Valverde and Doris Dipetta, and he had an older brother and two step-brothers. As a child he played in local youth leagues (starting at the small club Estudiantes de la Unión) and later joined the famous Peñarol academy in Montevideo. Valverde quickly made an impression at Peñarol. At just 17 years old he debuted for the first team in August 2015 and helped Peñarol win the Uruguayan Primera División title in the 2015–16 season. This early success drew the attention of European clubs.
In July 2016, Real Madrid signed Valverde and placed him in their Castilla (reserve) squad. He adapted to life in Spain and continued to develop his midfield skills. Within a year he was regarded as one of Castilla’s top prospects.
Career Highlights
Valverde’s career accelerated quickly. He spent the 2017–18 season on loan at Deportivo La Coruña in La Liga, gaining valuable first-team experience. In October 2018 he made his official debut for Real Madrid’s senior team in a Champions League match against Viktoria Plzen. In that first season (2018–19) he made 25 appearances across all competitions and even won the FIFA Club World Cup with the team.
From 2019 onward, Valverde became a key player under coach Zinedine Zidane. He was instrumental in Real Madrid’s successes of the early 2020s. Notably, in January 2020 he played a crucial role in the Spanish Super Cup final, he tackled an opposing striker (Álvaro Morata) on the goal line to preserve Madrid’s lead. He was sent off for that foul but was praised by both teammates and opponents as the “most important play of the game”.
In total, Valverde has amassed over 320 appearances for Real Madrid by mid-2025. He has won multiple major trophies with the club: three La Liga titles (2019–20, 2021–22, 2023–24), two UEFA Champions League titles (2021–22, 2023–24), three Spanish Super Cups (2020, 2022, 2024), and other honors. He also earned a Copa del Rey in 2022–23. These achievements make him one of the standout players of Real Madrid’s recent era.
On the international stage, Valverde debuted for Uruguay in 2017 and has been a regular since. He has represented his country at three Copa América tournaments (2019, 2021, 2024) and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In 2024 he helped Uruguay secure third place in Copa América.
Earnings
As one of Real Madrid’s top talents, Valverde is among the club’s highest-paid players. In April 2025 Goal reported that he earns about £268,000 per week, which translates to roughly £13.9 million per year (around $18.2 million). His salary places him in a similar bracket to teammates Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, who are also major financial investments for the club.
This contract reportedly makes him the fifth-highest earner at Real Madrid. Online football finance sites estimate Valverde’s net worth around £48.9 million. In summer 2024 he signed a contract extension tying him to Real Madrid until 2029, reflecting the club’s valuation of him.
Personal Life
Off the field, Valverde is known for being family-oriented and media-shy about his private life. He is married to Argentine TV personality Mina Bonino. The couple held a secret wedding ceremony in 2022, attended only by close family and friends. They have two sons together: Benicio (born 2020) and Bautista (born 2023). In interviews Valverde often speaks about how fatherhood gave him a new perspective on life and football.
Valverde’s relationship and family life have occasionally become public topics. For example, in April 2023 he was involved in a widely reported incident after a match, when a Villarreal player allegedly provoked him by mentioning his personal family situation. The matter was investigated, but authorities ultimately dismissed the case as there was no evidence of wrongdoing.
Trivia
- Valverde’s nickname is “El Halcón” (The Falcon). Early in his career he was called “Pajarito” (Little Bird), but as he grew as a player he embraced the more powerful “Falcon” moniker.
- He became a Spanish citizen in 2020, leveraging his Spanish and Italian ancestry. This allows him to count as an EU player.
- Valverde is known for his exceptional stamina and versatility; he has played as a defensive midfielder, a box-to-box central midfielder, and occasionally even as a right-back when needed.
