'I enjoy it as if it were the last day' - Valverde on wearing Kroos' No.8

Fede Valverde is one of those few players who have had the privilege of sharing a dressing room with one of his idols, as was the case with Toni Kroos.

In fact, the Uruguayan was not only able to play alongside the German in the Real Madrid jersey, but the former Bayern Munich player chose him as his heir and wearer of his iconic No 8.

Valverde spoke before the first leg of the quarter-final against Arsenal about what it meant to him to take the No 8 of his idol. "At first, I talked about it with my wife, I didn't want to take it out of respect more than anything for the person who wore it, Toni," he said.

"I thought a person who had marked so many things at the club, had left a mark. Even if it were up to me, I'd hang up the number like they do in the NBA," he added.

"When Toni agreed to me wearing that number, my body relaxed and said it's my moment, I'm going to enjoy it. I'm not going to take it as a responsibility, but I'm enjoying every moment, everyday that I go out to train and have the number on my chest or back and enjoy it as if it were the last day," he concluded on the matter. 

In addition, the Uruguayan midfielder also said how proud he feels when he wears the captain's armband for Real Madrid. "It's a tremendous source of pride and honor to have it on my arm. It's spectacular."