Real Madrid will be without their influential captain, Federico Valverde, for the highly anticipated La Liga showdown against Barcelona on May 10. The Uruguayan midfielder has been ruled out following a medical recommendation that he avoid training and match play for at least one week.
The absence stems from an incident that reportedly occurred in the Real Madrid dressing room on Thursday, May 7, following a team training session. According to journalist Abraham Romero, Valverde was involved in a physical altercation with fellow midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
During the confrontation, Valverde is said to have been struck by Tchouameni, causing him to fall. The fall resulted in a significant head injury, as the captain reportedly hit his head on a table, sustaining a cut.
Medical staff have since assessed the situation and determined that the head trauma requires a period of rest and recovery. Their professional advice is that Valverde must refrain from all football-related activities, including training and competitive matches, for a minimum of seven days.
This timeline directly conflicts with the schedule for the 35th round of the Spanish championship, where Real Madrid is set to host their eternal rivals, Barcelona. The match, a cornerstone of the football calendar, will now proceed without one of Los Blancos' most key players.
The nature of the injury, arising from an internal team conflict rather than a match or training accident, adds a layer of controversy to the situation. The club has not yet released an official statement regarding the incident or the disciplinary measures, if any, that may follow.
Valverde's absence presents a significant tactical challenge for manager Carlo Ancelotti. As the team's captain and a dynamic force in midfield, his leadership and on-field contributions will be sorely missed in one of the season's most critical fixtures.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.
