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La Liga On Wednesday, Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde posted a strong message on social media. “I have read several articles damaging my reputation, ” he said. “I know I have had bad games, I am aware of that. I am not hiding and I am facing up to it. I am really sad. “People can say many things about me, but under no circumstances can they say that I refuse to play. ” Advertisement So what happened to make Valverde, Madrid’s vice-captain, post that after their 5-0 away win against Kazakhstani side Kairat in the Champions League on Tuesday? Valverde was Madrid’s most-used player in each of the past two completed seasons, with 4, 280 minutes in 54 appearances and 5, 556 in 65 in 2023-24 and last term respectively. Team sources — who, like all those cited in this article, asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships — describe the 27-year-old Uruguay international as a shy person in the dressing room but one of the team’s leaders. He played key roles in Madrid’s two most recent Champions League final wins, memorably providing the assist for Vinicius Junior to score the only goal against Liverpool in Paris three years ago. He leído varios artículos dañando mi persona. Sé que he tenido partidos malos, soy consciente. No me escondo y doy la cara. Realmente estoy triste. De mí pueden decir muchas cosas, pero bajo ningún punto de vista pueden decir que me niego a jugar. He dado todo y más por este… — Fede Valverde (@fedeevalverde) October 1, 2025 He was instrumental under previous head coach Carlo Ancelotti, who regularly made use of his versatility. Valverde’s preferred position is in central midfield, but he was used by the Italian as a right-winger, right-back and as a right-sided midfielder. Last November, Valverde’s wife, the journalist Mina Bonino, responded to a fan who suggested Ancelotti had taken off him at half-time of a Champions League loss to Milan because of a technical decision. “Brother, Fede plays best as a defensive midfielder, ” she wrote. “What are you talking about? When are you going to understand once and for all that Fede is not a winger? ” Valverde has continued to play an important role this season under Ancelotti’s summer replacement Xabi Alonso but hasn’t looked entirely comfortable, despite being deployed in his preferred position. He has not made as much of an impact as fellow central midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni in Alonso’s new, high-pressing system. Advertisement In Madrid’s Champions League opener against Marseille last month, new right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold injured his hamstring. With the club fearing up to an eight-week absence for the former Liverpool player, Valverde was clear post-game that he did not want to be used as a makeshift right-back again. “I’ve had many conversations with the coach, he knows what he really wants, but in the end, I think I deserve more opportunities in my position, ” he said. “I’m happy in midfield. ” A few hours later, a staff source told The Athletic they would be surprised if Valverde returned to right-back following those comments. He duly started as a defensive midfielder in the following week’s 4-1 win against Levante in La Liga, though at times shifted to right wing-back in Alonso’s system. Then, on Saturday, Dani Carvajal suffered a muscle injury while playing right-back in the 5-2 derby thrashing by Atletico Madrid, reopening the debate about who Alonso should turn to at the position. Carvajal faces up to five weeks out, making him a doubt for El Clasico at home to Barcelona on October 26. The Carvajal news came after a weak performance by Valverde in midfield that night. He underhit a pass which led to Antoine Griezmann’s goal to complete the scoring in stoppage time, making it the first time Atletico had put five past their city rivals since 1950. All of which led to Monday, when Valverde spoke at the press conference before the game against Kairat. “I’m a bit frustrated, I’m aware of how I’m playing, ” he said. “Players realise when they’re not playing well, every minute they’re not doing things right. I think I started well in this new project at the Club World Cup, but I’ve found it much difficult to feel comfortable in midfield in these seven games. “I wasn’t born to play full-back, I didn’t grow up playing there. It was an emergency situation. Being able to do it well filled me with pride. But I always wondered if those games were just a bit of luck, spontaneous nights. ” Advertisement When asked whether he had stated he wouldn’t fill in at full-back under Alonso, Valverde said: “You can call me a liar. Ask the manager, I’ve always said that I’m at the team’s disposal. I’ve never refused to play in any position. I always give my best, wherever I am. ” But when the team sheet came out next day, Alonso had benched him. That was surprising — not just because Valverde has always played unless he has been injured (and sometimes even when he has) but also as there is an unwritten rule in the European competitions that whichever player speaks at a club’s pre-game press conference is going to start the match concerned. Despite Madrid’s comfortable 5-0 victory thanks to a hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe, one of the things that most attracted the attention of the Spanish journalists present in far-off Kazakhstan was Valverde warming up at a slower pace than usual. At one point, he was seen walking along the touchline, arms behind his back, as the game unfolded, and he was not among the five substitutes Madrid used on the night. “I have no idea, I watched the match and I didn’t notice anything you’re talking about, ” Alonso said later, when asked if he had seen anything strange from Valverde. But after the game, some Spanish outlets questioned the player’s attitude. Sources close to Valverde say they are surprised by the controversy about his omission and touchline behaviour, as it was planned that he would be rested for the Kairat match. They added it was not true that he refused to warm up on the night. Those same sources are angry because they believe a false image of the Uruguayan is being presented. They say he has never argued with Alonso or asked the coach to play him in a specific position, and do not like the idea of ​​people being turned against him after his fine performances for Madrid in the near-decade since he joined from Penarol in his homeland. Club sources say Valverde would not have done something without first agreeing it with Alonso and were equally reluctant to engage in controversy. In case there were any doubts, the man himself moved to settle those with his social-media post. Advertisement “I have a good relationship with the coach, which makes me feel confident enough to tell him which position I like best on the pitch, but I have always, always let him know that I am available to play anywhere, on any trip and in every match, ” Valverde wrote. “I’ve put my heart and soul into this club and I’ll continue to do so, even if sometimes I don’t perform as well as I’d like or I’m not playing as much as I’d like. “I swear on my pride that I’ll never give up and I’ll fight until the end, playing wherever I’m needed. ” While that will calm the controversy for now, Valverde’s role will continue to be a source of intrigue in Alonso’s new-look side. (Top photo: Manu Reino/De Fodi Images/De Fodi via Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle Guillermo began his career covering Real Madrid and the sports industry for Diario AS. He later moved to London and became AS and Cadena Ser correspondent. He has since returned to Madrid and joins us at The Athletic where he will deliver Real Madrid news, interviews, stories, and more. Follow Guillermo on Twitter @Guillermo Rai_