Real Madrid have confirmed that Federico Valverde suffered severe trauma to his left ankle during their 2-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid in Sunday’s derby.
The Uruguay international picked up the injury following a challenge from Atlético’s Kang-in Lee during the first half at the Metropolitano. Despite the incident, Valverde stayed on the pitch and finished the match.
However, further medical examinations after the game revealed the injury’s severity.
In a statement released on Sunday, Real Madrid said:
“Following the tests carried out today on our player Fede Valverde by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a severe trauma to his left ankle.”
The club also confirmed that Valverde will undergo additional examinations, meaning there is currently no official recovery timeline for the midfielder.
The challenge from Kang-in Lee was not punished during the match, with Real Madrid later expressing their frustration over the decision. Manager José Mourinho also referenced the incident while discussing the controversial refereeing decisions surrounding the derby defeat.
Reports have suggested that Valverde could spend two to three weeks on the sidelines, which could put his availability for Uruguay’s upcoming international fixtures in doubt.
However, that timeframe remains unconfirmed as Real Madrid await the outcome of further tests.
For Madrid, the injury adds another concern following their defeat at the Metropolitano. Valverde has become an important figure in the team, making the results of the additional medical assessments particularly important for determining how long he could be unavailable.
Parte médico de Valverde.https://t.co/CRDVVxndiF
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 20, 2026