Federico Valverde called his crucial tackle on Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata in Real Madrid's Supercopa de Espana final success in January "a clean foul".
Uruguay international Valverde was shown a straight red card for a tactical foul on Morata, who was set to shoot in a one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois in the 25th minute of extra time.
Atletico were unable to convert the free-kick or make the most of their numerical advantage in the closing stages, with Madrid going on to triumph 4-1 on penalties in Jeddah.
Valverde only received a one-game ban for the challenge, which he says was a calculated decision taken with no malice.
Asked about the incident, Valverde told ABC: "I don't know if it put me in the heart of Real Madrid fans, but I am not proud of committing a foul against an opponent.
"I don't know anyone who likes fouls. The ideal is to end a game without making any, but fouls are part of football.
"But what I would really not be proud of is not doing anything for my team in that, or any, passage of play.
"It was a clean foul, not done to injure, of course!"
#RMSuperCopa Diaries: Episode 5
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) January 13, 2020
CELEBRATE OUR SPANISH SUPER CUP WIN WITH THE PLAYERS!#Supercampeones | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/UymvZPLyGT
Valverde has made 32 appearances in all competitions for Madrid in 2019, 23 of which have come as part of Zinedine Zidane's starting line-up.
However, the 21-year-old does not feel like he has firmly established himself as one of the team's leading players.
"I don't feel like I've experienced my confirmation [as a Madrid player]. I continue with the mentality of the first day I entered the biggest dressing room in the world," said Valverde.
"There are many players here who are stars, who have been confirmed for a long time and I know from them that, to feel like you have earned a place in the team, you have to toil a lot beforehand. I am just toiling. My goals are clear in my head: learn and give everything."
Asked if he would like to spend the rest of his career with Madrid, Valverde replied: "It's the dream. I don't want to be anywhere other than at Real Madrid.
"I would like nothing more than to be useful and necessary for my dream team."