Federico Valverde of Real Madrid
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Real Madrid kept Federico Valverde’s return under wraps for as long as possible before finally confirming his availability in the squad list for the match against Villarreal.
The captain completed the final training session without any problems and, 17 days after the club’s last medical update, is now available to Jose Mourinho for the first match following the international break.
And, according to MARCA, the fact that the Uruguayan international has recovered so swiftly from the injury is seen as a ‘miracle’.
What happened to Valverde?
Valverde suffered the injury during the derby on 20 September, when Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
The Uruguayan received a heavy challenge from Kang-in Lee in the first half, an incident that became one of the main talking points in the club’s criticism of the refereeing, alongside Cristian Romero’s stamp on Jude Bellingham.
Federico Valverde of Real Madrid
Valverde was injured during the derby. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Despite the challenge, the Los Blancos’ captain played out the remainder of the match. It was only afterwards that concerns emerged, as his ankle had become severely swollen.
Real Madrid issued two medical statements about Valverde’s condition. The first, released immediately after the derby, confirmed that the midfielder had suffered “severe trauma to his left ankle”.
Two days later, on 22 September, further tests established the definitive diagnosis: “a grade-three sprain in his left ankle.”
The first encouraging signs came during the week Real Madrid returned to training at Valdebebas during the opening week of the international break.
Valverde completed an on-pitch fitness test alongside several teammates, designed to assess the squad’s endurance and physical condition.
Crucially, he was able to jog on the grass again, suggesting that his ankle was responding well to the demands of running. In the following days, the captain alternated between on-pitch work and gym sessions.
Federico Valverde, Real Madrid player
Back in the squad. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
That routine continued throughout the week. Mourinho also arranged a couple of training matches against Real Madrid C for a small group of first-team players, but Valverde did not take part, continuing instead with his individual recovery programme.
The most visible sign of progress came on 7 October, 17 days after the injury, as he resumed ball work that day.
With the Villarreal match approaching, the club indicated that Valverde’s availability would be decided during the final training session. He came through that session without problems and has now been included in the squad.
A remarkable recovery compared with Ceballos
The speed of Valverde’s recovery is particularly striking given the severity of the diagnosis.
The last time Real Madrid specified a grade-three sprain in a medical statement was with Dani Ceballos on 1 September 2024. The midfielder went on to spend 33 days on the sidelines.
Valverde’s return after just less than three weeks therefore represents a strikingly quick recovery, although his inclusion in the squad does not automatically guarantee a starting place against Villarreal.
JJ Gabriel of Manchester United
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
JJ Gabriel of Manchester United
Manchester United table contract offer for Gabriel. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
JJ Gabriel of Manchester United
Real Madrid are leading the race. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)