"Nacho was an example from day one"

Uruguay international Fede Valverde said on Saturday that his former Madrid teammate Nacho Fernandez, who signed for Al-Qadsiah, will "be supporting Madrid" from Saudi Arabia and stressed that for him he was "an example from day one".

"Today football is different. As I wrote to him, for us he was an example from the first day we youngsters joined the club, he always made the club's code very clear to us, always doing his bit," he said at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where Uruguay eliminated Brazil on penalties to advance to the Copa America semi-finals.

"Sometimes he didn't get to play a lot, but always with the good examples, for us he was a great captain, a reference. I wish him all the best and I'm sure he'll be supporting Madrid," he added.

Valverde scored the first penalty of the shootout to send Uruguay through to the semi-finals, where the 'Celeste' will face Colombia. "I had a lot of things going on inside me, obviously I had a lot of nerves, I could see that moment in my head with Madrid when I had to take the penalty," he said.

"Colombia are one of the best teams in the Copa America. They are good, really. James Rodriguez is in a very good moment, we know what James is and what he gives," said Valverde.