Real Madrid have suffered a major injury blow following their 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid in Sunday’s La Liga derby.
The club confirmed after the match that captain Fede Valverde sustained an ankle injury during the game.
Valverde was caught by a strong tackle from Atletico Madrid’s Kang-In Lee. The challenge went unpunished by the referee.
Real Madrid later revealed that the Uruguay international had suffered severe trauma to his left ankle.
The midfielder will now undergo further tests to determine the full extent of the injury.
Valverde was an important part of Real Madrid’s midfield during the derby. His potential absence could therefore be a concern for Jose Mourinho as the club prepares for the next phase of the season.
The 28-year-old will hope to recover quickly during the international break.
Real Madrid’s next LaLiga fixture is against Villarreal after the break. Valverde will be hoping to return in time to feature in that match.
However, the club will likely wait for the results of his further examinations before confirming how long he could be sidelined.
The injury adds to the disappointment of a difficult night for Real Madrid.
Atletico claimed all three points in the derby after a late fightback, leaving Mourinho’s side with work to do when domestic football resumes.
Real Madrid will now monitor Valverde closely as they assess the severity of his ankle problem.
A lengthy absence would leave Mourinho without one of his key midfield options, while a quick recovery would provide a major boost ahead of the Villarreal clash.
For now, the club will wait for further medical tests before giving a clearer update on the Uruguayan captain’s condition.
