Jose Mourinho is eagerly awaiting the return of all of his Real Madrid players for pre-season. But, according to MARCA, there is one player in particular he is especially keen to see: Federico Valverde.

The Portuguese coach has decided to personally handle a situation that has become a growing concern within the club. Even after the World Cup, the tension surrounding the midfielder has not disappeared.

Real Madrid had hoped that Valverde’s time away from Valdebebas following a difficult season, one that culminated with the incident involving Aurelien Tchouameni, would allow emotions to cool.

Instead, the Uruguayan became embroiled in further controversy during the World Cup with his national team, meaning the scrutiny surrounding him has continued throughout what has arguably been the most difficult campaign of his career.

A fresh start after the World Cup

Since June 27, when Uruguay were eliminated from the World Cup after losing to Spain in the group stage, Valverde has been on vacation. The break has provided an opportunity to disconnect and recharge before returning to Madrid.

The midfielder’s objective is simple: leave behind everything that happened over the past year, move on from the controversies that surrounded him, and begin the new season with a clean slate.

Full confidence from Mourinho

In Mourinho, he will have an important ally. The new Real Madrid manager plans to sit down with his captain for a private conversation aimed at clearing the air and helping him rediscover his best form.

Valverde is considered untouchable by Mourinho. The coach has no intention of stripping him of the captaincy or opening the door to a transfer amid growing speculations.

Instead, Valverde will remain Real Madrid’s first captain and one of the cornerstones of Mourinho’s project.

Mourinho’s confidence is intended to help Valverde put an eventful season behind him.

A season full of turmoil

The first major controversy came when the midfielder was identified by some as one of the players responsible for Xabi Alonso’s departure.

Although Vinicius Jr. attracted most of the criticism and later admitted that he had struggled to connect with the former coach, Valverde also experienced a breakdown in that relationship.

When Alvaro Arbeloa temporarily took charge, tensions appeared to ease. Alongside Vinicius, Valverde became one of Arbeloa’s strongest allies during a period in which Real Madrid briefly recovered their form.

However, the positive momentum soon disappeared. The tense atmosphere at Valdebebas eventually culminated in two separate altercations involving Tchouameni just before the end of the season.

With speculation growing over whether he could lose the captaincy or even be sold, Valverde left Madrid to join Uruguay for the World Cup where he found himself at the centre of another difficult situation.

A number of senior players, including Valverde, were unhappy with head coach Marcelo Bielsa’s demanding training sessions following an exhausting club season, as well as the lengthy tactical video meetings imposed during the tournament.

Now, after taking time to rest and clear his mind, Valverde is preparing for a new beginning.

One of the first steps in that process will be the conversation Mourinho has planned, a meeting intended to draw a line under the past and reset the clock ahead of a new era at Real Madrid.