Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has disclosed that he declined a request from teammate Vinícius Júnior to take a second-half penalty during their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match against Manchester City. The incident occurred after Vinícius was fouled by City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, with Real Madrid already holding a commanding lead.
The match, held at the Santiago Bernabéu, saw Valverde score three goals in the first 45 minutes, giving Los Blancos a 3-0 advantage before the interval. In the second half, a further opportunity arose when Vinícius was brought down inside the box. The Brazilian forward, who had won the penalty, initially offered the subsequent spot kick to Valverde, who had just completed a hat-trick.
According to Valverde, he refused the offer, instead encouraging Vinícius to take the penalty himself. The winger’s attempt was ultimately saved by Donnarumma, leaving the score unchanged. Speaking to broadcasters TNT Sports after the 3-0 victory, Valverde explained the exchange. “Vini Jr asked me if I wanted to take the penalty,” he said. “Vini is a Real Madrid legend, he’s a great friend, me and other teammates told him to take it. Vini missed? These things can happen, it’s part of football.”
The moment highlighted the team’s supportive dynamic amid a high-stakes European fixture. Valverde’s first-half performance was instrumental in securing a favorable result for the 14-time champions, while the saved penalty did not affect the final scoreline. Both players remain central to Real Madrid’s ongoing domestic and European campaigns.
The outcome places Real Madrid in a strong position ahead of the second leg at the Etihad Stadium next month. For Manchester City, the task to overcome the deficit is significant, though they possess the attacking quality to mount a challenge. The penalty incident, while a minor detail in a comprehensive win, provides insight into the camaraderie and decision-making within the Real Madrid squad during pivotal moments. The return leg will determine whether this first-leg advantage proves decisive in the tournament’s knockout stage.
