"Fede Valverde always performs and plays great games"

Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos said that Fede Valverde is "an inspiration for all" Real Madrid players after a match in which the Uruguayan, a right-back on Sunday, played his first game as captain of the reigning European champions and scored a goal.

"Congratulations on your first game as captain of this club. It won't be his last. He is a player who comes from the youth academy and has worked quietly for many years. No matter where he plays, he always performs and plays great games. He's a source of inspiration for all of us,’" he said on RealMadrid TV.

Ceballos stressed that they played "a very complete game" and explained his team's improvement after a shaky start to the season. "We lacked a bit of time to get to know each other better. It was a complicated match because we had little time together after the national team. The team is becoming more and more solid, working better defensively and you can see it in the results," he said.

Finally, he explained how he felt after returning to the starting line-up for the first time since 1 September. "I've been working for a long time after the injury in matchday 4. I feel very good and I'm making the most of the minutes," he said.