MONTEVIDEO, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde has hailed the positive influence of Real Madrid's elder statesmen as his career blossoms for both club and country.
Valverde has enjoyed regular playing time for the Spanish giants this season, rewarding the faith of head head coach Zinedine Zidane's with a string of fine performances in central midfield.
The 21-year-old was unsurprisingly called up by Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez for back-to-back friendlies against Peru over the next week and he intends to capitalize on every opportunity.
"Peru are great rivals that will allow me to continue growing and improve in several facets of my game," Valverde told reporters.
He revealed that senior Real Madrid players such as Sergio Ramos and, especially, Toni Kroos had helped him feel like he belongs at arguably the world's biggest club.
"I always try to learn from my teammates," Valverde said. "They have taught me the benefits of being calm and enjoying every moment.
"When somebody like Toni tells you to display everything you know, it's very nice and shows that you have something to give."
Valverde has been capped 16 times since his international debut in 2017, mostly as a substitute. Tabarez is expected to provide the former Penarol youth team player with a starting role in at least one of the matches against Peru as he revamps the Celeste midfield.
Uruguay will host Peru in Montevideo on Friday before travelling to Lima for a return clash against the same opponents four days later.
