Emotional Valverde: I Won't Leave the National Team Until I Lead It to the Top

Following Uruguay's painful exit, Federico Valverde broke his silence with an emotional message posted on his Instagram profile.

“A few days have passed since our elimination, and only now am I beginning to grasp everything I've experienced. However, I know there's a part of me that may never come to terms with another early knockout stage exit – just like what happened at the World Cup in Qatar. That pain still runs deep within me.”

“I feel an immense responsibility towards my country. It's an honor that fills my soul. I did everything in my power – I prepared physically and mentally and tried to prevent a repeat of what happened, working hard throughout the entire season. But clearly, it wasn't enough.”

“I accept defeat. I take full responsibility for failing to fulfill my duty to the national team and to all of you.”

“I take the blame for this setback and I know I didn't perform at the required level. But under no circumstances will I give up representing my country, even if it costs me my life.”

“I don't know how or when, but I swear on my life that I will not leave this national team until I lead it to the highest peak,” the Uruguayan concluded his emotional post.