Neither Vinicius nor Mbappe.. Ancelotti reveals the most important player in Real Madrid: I cannot do without him

Real Madrid is gearing up to take on Celta Vigo, marking the first significant challenge for Carlo Ancelotti’s team following the international break.

The coaching staff recognizes that Celta Vigo will pose a significant threat on their home turf, and the players will need to deliver their best performance to overcome Iago Aspas and his teammates, especially with the upcoming Clasico against Barcelona in mind.

According to the Spanish newspaper Defensa Central, Ancelotti is particularly worried about the heavy workload on key players, especially Fede Valverde, due to their numerous appearances for both club and country.

The publication also noted that Ancelotti views Valverde as a vital leader in the Real Madrid dressing room, praising his strong leadership abilities.

Ancelotti remarked on Valverde: “He continues to grow and takes on more responsibility for the team. It’s clear that he is an irreplaceable player due to his quality, strength, and intelligence. We are fortunate to have him. When Kroos departed, Valverde was the ideal choice not just for his talent but also for his mentality.”

Valverde’s significance is underscored by his statistics, which highlight his essential role in the squad. In the 2023-24 season, he logged the most minutes for Real Madrid, totaling 4,280 minutes and only missing one out of 55 matches, surpassing Antonio Rudiger.

This season has seen Valverde maintain his status as the midfielder with the highest playing time, outpacing Kylian Mbappé, with only Thibaut Courtois having played more minutes.

These figures are expected to grow in the upcoming match against Celta Vigo at the Balaídos stadium next Saturday.