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Toni Kroos has hailed his Real Madrid team-mate Federico Valverde as one of the “top three” players in the world.
Valverde continued his sensational start to the season on Sunday by scoring Los Blancos’ second goal in their 3-1 Clasico triumph over Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu.
After failing to find the back of the net in 31 LaLiga games last season, Valverde has now scored four in nine appearances this term.
The Uruguay international’s fine strike was the first Madrid have scored at home against Barca from outside the area since Raul did so during the 1998-99 season.
Kroos is in no doubt about Valverde’s standing in world football, with the former Germany international taking to social media to heap praise on his team-mate.
Posting on Twitter, Kroos said: “Fede Valverde top 3 in the world right now.”
Karim Benzema had earlier given Los Blancos the lead against Barcelona, before Valverde’s crisp strike from 20 yards doubled their advantage.
Ferran Torres pulled one back for Barca with seven minutes remaining, but Rodrygo restored the hosts’ two-goal advantage in stoppage time from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by Eric Garcia.
The win saw Madrid move three points clear of their great rivals at the summit of LaLiga.
