• Chronicle Madrid puts down Kubo's rebellion at the Bernabéu

When the ball hit the right post of Remiro's goal, rumbling throughout the Bernabeu, and entered the Real Sociedad net, a cry of rage came from Fede Valverde's mouth. The Uruguayan did not see a goal with the Real Madrid shirt since last February 18 against Osasuna, 211 days and 29 games ago. His fist towards the stands and his giant "Let's go!" made more sense when he appeared in the mixed zone and explained what his last months had been like.

It hasn't been a normal 2023 for the midfielder. At the beginning of the year, some problems in his wife's pregnancy made him focus all his efforts and eyes on the family. Logical. That, together with the hangover of the Qatar World Cup caused a slight slump that was more than solved at home and on the pitch. His son was born without problems and he regained his scoring nose in the Club World Cup.

In April, in the middle of the fight for the League and the Champions League, he filled the controversy for the punch to Álex Baena in the parking lot of the Bernabéu arguing that the Villarreal player had made some comments about his family situation. The investigating judge of the RFEF asked for five matches of sanction, which curiously should have served in the first five days of this season, but the Court 48 of Madrid ended up ordering the dismissal of the case because it was not "duly justified the perpetration of the crime" and the Competition Committee decided to file the file.

Months later and after a summer in which he has tried to disconnect in Montevideo, Valverde returned to the spotlight against Real Sociedad. "You don't want to go through those things. They are things of life, that worse things can also happen, but I have to be grateful because within my whole family is well, my children are well and have health, which is the important thing, "he told the media.

Analyzing his football "rollercoaster" in 2023, the Uruguayan acknowledged that it is part of the "survival" that must be shown to endure in Madrid. "In my football life there are always going to be ups and downs, but you work to make them as few as possible. You have to know how to have a mature head in those moments, talk to the people you need and only then can you survive Real Madrid and that pressure that is always in the best club in the world.

During the transfer market and with the arrival of Bellingham, several Premier League clubs knocked on the door of the Uruguayan's environment, which always insisted on his desire to continue in Valdebebas. "I feel like one of the best. I feel like a Madrid player and when that's not the case the club and myself will look for another solution," he said.

In the locker room, Valverde took off the bulky bandage that covered his right hand and exposed a splint that occupies a large part of his limb. "I got a fracture in training, in a grip. I went to grab another colleague and my hand was hooked. It hurts, but I can play and that's what's important."

First goal of the season for the midfielder, who also found the net with Uruguay during the national team break. Great news for a Madrid that needs more than ever options in its attack. Last year, Valverde bet with Ancelotti that he would pass ten goals, but "until I score a couple I don't want to bet anything," joked the footballer.

  • Fede Valverde
  • Real Madrid