Valverde was reminded of the most iconic moment of his careerCredit: RFEF

Graduating from the youth team in 2018, Valverde has won nine professional trophies with Madrid, and is looking for his tenth in the Spanish Super Cup.

Already a champion in 2020 and 2022, Valverde’s Real are facing city rivals Atletico Madrid in the SuperCopa de Espana for the first time in four years, when he etched himself into derby history.

Facing Atleti this time in the semis, in 2020 they met Diego Simeone’s team in the final, and came out on top in the shootout.

The match was scoreless after 120 minutes before Real won 4-1 on penalties, but it could have been very different if it wasn’t for Valverde.

Alvaro Morata was put clean through one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois with five minutes to go in extra time, and had the game on his boot.

Chasing him was Valverde, and realising he had no chance of stopping the striker, he went all-in, bringing Morata down, earning the most blatant red card you’ll ever see.

The moment, which ended up being decisive in their win, has never been forgotten by Madrid fans, with Valverde even squaring up to Angel Correa in the aftermath to make it even more iconic.

Asked about it before their face-off on Wednesday, Valverde confidently replied: “Of course I would do it again.

Morata was breaking through on goalCredit: RFEF YouTube

Valverde did what he had to doCredit: RFEF YouTube

“As long as it was to help the team. In that case the game was very close, we were tied and I think it was a decisive play.

“If we had the same situation, I would do it again, for the team, for my teammates and for the pride that I have.”

The 25-year-old was rather hilariously named man of the match, and noted: “But not because of that play with Morata.

“I remember it because it was my first Super Cup. And getting another title with Real Madrid and enjoying it with my teammates and my family was something very nice.”

The fixture will be the first of three between Real and Atleti in the space of 30 days, with a Copa del Rey tie on January 18 now drawn before their league meeting on February 2.

The trilogy promises plenty of drama, but not everyone is happy about it.

“Personally, I don’t like playing Atletico Madrid,” Real manager Carlo Ancelotti said. “They are one of the best teams and it is always difficult to play against them.

“I think that Atletico Madrid has the same thoughts. We are two very strong teams and meeting each other is complicated. That’s the calendar, though, and I think the fans are going to enjoy it.”