“Can’t say”
Use refused? Real star defends itself against rumors
01.10.2025 – 7:03 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Federico Valverde for Real Madrid was not used against Qairat Almaty. A punishment of his trainer? The Uruguayer took a position on Wednesday.
The start of the new season was actually satisfactory for Real Madrid. Then last weekend it put a bitter 2: 5 defeat in the city duel with Atlético-and archrival Barcelona passed the “royal” in the table. But another topic is also more concerned with the club than many people may love: Federico Valverde.
The 27-year-old was not used on Tuesday in the 5-0 win in the Champions League at Qairat Almaty. Before the game, Valverde had emphasized at the press conference that it was not happy to be able to play as a full -back. Trainer Xabi Alonso would know that, Valverde claimed. Which inevitably asked the question: Did the Spaniard now miss the midfielder a memo? Or did he even refuse to run against Qairat Almaty? Such rumors had at least emerged around the game.
The suspicion that he would have punished Valverde for his words, but then Alonso took the wind out of the sails relatively quickly after the game in Kazakhstan. The decision not to let him play was made before the press conference was made. “Fede is always ready. If the game had required it, he would have played,” said the former Leverkusen coach.
The player himself was apparently compelled on Wednesday to take a position to the vertebrae again: “I read several articles that attack me personally. I know that I had bad games, I am aware of it. I don’t hide and I am,” Valept wrote now and also expressed criticism of the reporting in his case.
He was extremely sad, explained the 70-time international Uruguays, who also did not want to leave the rumors circulating about him uncommented. “You can say a lot about me, but in no way you can say that I refuse to play myself,” said Valverde. “I gave everything and more for this club”. He also played with breaks and injuries and never complained about it, let alone demanded a break.
The relationship with coach Xabi Alonso is meanwhile intact, Valverde assured. He feels sure to tell him which position he prefers to use. “But I always made it clear to him that I am ready to play everywhere, on every trip and in every game.”
Valverde wrote his soul in the club. He will continue to do this. He concluded his contribution to X with a declaration of war. “I swear with my honor that I will never give up and fight to the end, no matter where I play.”