Valverde Injury Raises Real Madrid Concerns Before Uruguay Return

Federico Valverde raised concerns at Real Madrid after saying he had not fully recovered from the muscle injury he suffered against Barcelona on October 25. He made the remarks on arriving in Montevideo to join Uruguay’s camp ahead of two friendlies against Argentina and the Dominican Republic.

Speaking to Sport 890 radio, Valverde explained that he still felt some discomfort and had not fully regained his fitness, but said he was happy to return to the national team and be with his teammates. The injury had forced him off at the start of the second half of the Barcelona match.

The Real Madrid captain played his last two matches for the club while in pain, after missing the match against Racing Santander, then coming on as a substitute against AEK Athens before starting against Valencia. The coaching staff will monitor his condition during the international break amid fears that the injury could worsen amid a congested fixture schedule. His ability to play internationally and when he will regain full fitness should become clear in the coming days.