Fede Valverde Injury: Progress, Potential Return Date for Real Madrid Captain

The Uruguayan did not come out of the Madrid derby unscathed.

Fede Valverde took a nasty tackle to the ankle against Atlético Madrid. | Denis Doyle/Getty Images

As if losing to bitter rivals Atlético Madrid wasn’t bad enough, Real Madrid also suffered a major injury blow to captain Federico Valverde at the Metropolitano.

Valverde got the nod alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni in José Mourinho’s double pivot and soon found himself at the center of controversy in the team’s 2–1 defeat. The Uruguayan was on the receiving end of a dangerous, late challenge from Atlético Madrid’s Lee Kang-in, who dug his studs into Valverde’s ankle.

Much to Mourinho’s dismay, the tackle did not even prompt a yellow card from referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias. The Portuguese boss and the club made it known after the final whistle the challenge deserved a red card in their eyes, especially now that Valverde’s injury has been confirmed.

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What Injury Does Fede Valverde Have?

Kang-In Lee (left) caught Federico Valverde (center) with his studs. | Real Madrid

Real Madrid confirmed shortly after the Madrid derby that Valverde immediately underwent tests and was diagnosed with an ankle injury.

The club revealed the midfielder suffered “severe trauma” to his left ankle against Atlético Madrid, with subsequent examinations diagnosing Valverde with a “grade 3” ankle sprain.

Real Madrid have not put a formal timeline on Valverde’s recovery, instead insisting his recovery will simply be monitored. Fans will be sweating over their captain’s status considering the team already lacks depth in midfield.

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When Will Fede Valverde Return From Injury?

Federico Valverde can recover during the international break. | Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press/Getty Images

While some grade 3 ankle sprains can take several months to heal, multiple reports suggest Valverde’s absence will not drag on so long.

Indeed, The Athletic report the captain will be sidelined for two to three weeks, meaning he will not join up with the Uruguay squad during the newly extended international window.

Should that timeline prove accurate, he could potentially fully recover during the window without missing any games for Real Madrid, who do not return to domestic action until Oct. 10 against Villarreal.

Should he need more time to recover, he could target a return date of Oct. 14, when Los Blancos take on Roma in the Champions League.

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