Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder remains fully committed despite saying ‘he’d never play’ for club in tense moment
Over the past couple of days, a lot has changed for Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde.
Very little time has passed between the tension with Aurelien Tchouameni, the subsequent physical altercation, the apology thereafter and finally the sanction from the club, but an enormous amount has happened.
Valverde going through his toughest period
Now, according to AS, during these days, Valverde has lived through, and continues to endure, the hardest period of his professional career.
The fight on Thursday was the fire, but the spark came a day earlier. The heated exchange on Wednesday was the real trigger. That argument, which soon became public knowledge, led the Uruguayan midfielder to demand explanations from Tchouameni.
Everything else followed afterwards. A highly charged training session and a brawl that pushed tensions at Valdebebas to unprecedented levels, dragging Valverde into a spiral he neither could nor knew how to control.
It was only once he returned home from hospital, with his emotions finally settling, that the full reality of the situation hit him. There was deep regret. So much so that Valverde has accepted the €500,000 fine imposed by the club on both him and Tchouameni.
Fully committed to the club
Above all, he hopes the events of the past few days do not cast doubt over his commitment to Real Madrid.
According to sources close to the situation, it was precisely the frustration surrounding the season that pushed him beyond his limits.
Indeed, in the middle of those moments of tension, several sources told this newspaper that Valverde even said in the corridors of Valdebebas that he would never play for Real Madrid again, feeling the situation had become unbearable.
Yet the reality is that his mind remains entirely focused on the club.
Valverde is now leaning heavily on his family for support, something demonstrated publicly by his wife, Mina Bonino, through several social media posts in which she also lashed out at the criticism directed towards him.
Sidelined for 10-14 days due to the head injury he suffered, the club’s second captain will watch from the sidelines as the team closes out the season.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. admits finishing problem after another frustrating night vs Elche: ‘Can’t miss that much’
Vinicius Jr.’s difficult start in front of goal continued against Elche, and the Real Madrid forward did not need anyone to tell him he had missed another chance to make the difference.
The Brazilian finished the night without a goal despite having chances to get on the scoresheet, while his teammates could only watch from the bench as opportunities went begging.
Jose Mourinho had already identified the problem before kick-off, bluntly pointing to the issue facing his forward, stating, “He’s missing the goal.”
Vini offered an equally frank assessment afterwards.
Rather than hide from another frustrating evening, he accepted responsibility on social media: “The goals will come back; I can’t miss that much…”
Two chances, no finish for Vinicius
Vinicius had two particularly clear openings against Elche, but neither produced the finish Real Madrid needed from their star forward.
The first arrived when he found himself one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper.
Instead of finding the net, Vinicius caught the ball with the tip of his foot and sent his effort wide. Arda Guler was available during the move and called for the ball, but Vini backed himself to finish the chance.
He had another opportunity after the interval, this time following an excellent pass from Guler during a quick Real Madrid transition. Again, though, Vinicius could not find the target.
His evening ended in the 68th minute, with Mourinho deciding the Brazilian was tired and turning his attention towards Sunday’s Atletico Madrid derby.
Mourinho has a bigger decision to make
The numbers show why Vinicius’ finishing has become a talking point. He managed five shots against Elche, but only one was on target and none found the net.
After seven appearances this season, the Brazilian has scored just once, which is a striking return for a player Real Madrid rely upon to provide a major share of their attacking threat.
Ultimately, though, Real Madrid found another route to victory, with Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe and Carlos Espi providing the goals in the 3-2 comeback.
