Uruguay's Federico Valverde (left) is challenged by Chile's Alexis Sanchez during their 2022 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo on October 8, 2020, amid the pandemic. (PHOTO / AFP)

MONTEVIDEO - Real Madrid and Uruguay international midfielder Federico Valverde said Friday that he is not yet close to fulfilling his potential, vowing to continue learning from his more experienced teammates.

Valverde has become indispensable for Real Madrid this season, starting in three of the team's four La Liga matches and blossoming in a box-to-box role.

Real Madrid and Uruguay international midfielder Federico Valverde said Friday that he is not yet close to fulfilling his potential

He continued his rich vein of form for Uruguay on Thursday, playing one of his best matches for his country to date as La Celeste beat Chile 2-1 in their opening 2022 World Cup qualifier in Montevideo.

READ MORE: Barca chief says Setien to stay, has no regrets about Valverde

"I still have a lot to improve, to learn, to grow," Valverde told reporters in a virtual press conference on Friday. "Compared to previous years, I feel much better now, more conditioned on a footballing and personal level. But I'm very young and I have a lot to learn."

Uruguay dominated Chile early at the Estadio Centenario but was in danger of being overrun in the second half. Alexis Sanchez canceled out Luis Suarez's penalty and the visitors threatened to score again before Maxi Gomez's stoppage-time strike.

ALSO READ: Valverde sacking highlights deeper problems at FC Barcelona

"The important thing is that we won, which was our aim and what we were training for," the 22-year-old said.

"Starting a qualifying tournament with a win gives us motivation and desire to work even harder to make sure that we continue on this path," he added.

Uruguay's next qualifier will be against Ecuador in Quito on Tuesday.