Real Madrid News
Real Madrid ace Federico Valverde punched Villarreal’s Alex Baena after La Liga encounter – report
Real Madrid and Villarreal fought with their all on the field on Saturday night in a game that eventually ended 3-2 in Quique Setien’s side’s favour. Yet, one incident transcended the brawls on the field and stole the headlines on Sunday morning.
The main feature of the story was Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde punching Villarreal’s Alejandro Baena in the face after the game. The incident took place in the bus area where the Uruguayan waited for the Villarreal player’s arrival before exchanging words and smacking him one in the face while he was using his phone.
According to MARCA, the backstory for the same dates back to the last time the two teams met in the Copa del Rey. After a crunching tackle on Valverde on the night, Baena made a nasty comment about the midfielder’s personal life on a topic that he has, on many occasions, revealed to be his point of weakness.
“Cry now that your son is not going to be born,” he told Valverde who was dangerously close to losing his second child earlier this year.
Doctors had given the couple a very poor prognosis for the case, and the situation pushed Valverde to the edge of a psychological breakdown. Later, however, the player and his partner found out the baby was healthy which also led to Valverde’s thumb-sucking celebration in the Club World Cup final.
Baena is understood to have made more incendiary comments towards Valverde during last night’s match as well and that did not go down with the Real Madrid midfielder.
Confronting him near the Villarreal bus last night, Valverde got his revenge with physical aggression, by allegedly punching Baena.
The police were present during the incident and Villarreal have the entire footage on video. The Yellow Submarines will not file any complaint over the events, and everything is in the hands of Baena who has come out on his social media to deny all allegations of making statements about Valverde’s child.
“Fede never has problems with anyone and this has been due to something very serious that comes from before,” the midfielder’s entourage told MARCA.
It remains to be seen how the situation evolved and whether legal action will be taken against Real Madrid’s Uruguayan star. The story could drag on for months to come unless the two players find solace off the field.
Real Madrid set out on a mission to change the minds of Dani Ceballos, Marco Asensio and Nacho Fernandez earlier this week. After all, all three players were contemplating a departure from the club for a gross lack of minutes.
Los Blancos’ latest approach seems to have impacted Ceballos’ position in a positive fashion. However, Fabrizio Romano reveals that it has not changed Marco Asensio’s mind.
According to the Italian journalist, the Spaniard will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season as a free agent.
Of the numerous options on his table, he sees Aston Villa and PSG to be the best bets. In fact, Villa have already submitted their opening bid for the player as revealed by Fabrizio Romano once again.
After a dramatic final day of action in the Premier League, Aston Villa finished in the European spots and will participate in the UEFA Conference League next season. While a move to the English club would be a steep step down, it will see Asensio receive regular playing time.
Paris-Saint Germain, on that front, appears the more probable destination. The French club are close to losing both Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr ahead of the new season, and Asensio would thus fit in as a starting quality winger. Moreover, they offer Champions League football.
The Spaniard’s role at Real Madrid this season has not been minor by any means considering his contributions. In 30 La Liga appearances, the 27-year-old has scored nine goals and provided six assists in addition to creating nine big chances and averaging 1.4 key passes per game.
However, that does not satisfy the winger who wishes to be a starter week in and week out. His departure in June appears to be now written in stone, and the club should feel hard done to not make a penny of his move.
Many in Los Blancos’ administration see Brahim Diaz as a direct replacement for the Spanish international if he leaves. Needless to say, the AC Milan star’s future will closely depend on Asensio’s situation.
