Federico Valverde won’t be joining Uruguay for their upcoming international friendlies, and it’s not a punishment or injury scare. Softfootball understands that the Real Madrid midfielder has been granted rest, thanks to a mutual agreement between him and national team coach Marcelo Bielsa. It’s a sensible call, one that comes at just the right time for both club and country.
After weeks of nonstop action in La Liga and the Champions League, Valverde’s energy levels have been stretched thin with the midfielder even needing to publicly defend his commitment to the capital-based club in a social media outburst. Real Madrid’s schedule has been brutal, and with El Clásico against Barcelona just around the corner, a short breather feels nothing short of necessary.
According to Fabrizio Romano via his official X account, the decision by the Uruguay camp was easy; with the team already booking their ticket for the 2026 World Cup, these friendlies against the Dominican Republic and Uzbekistan don’t carry real pressure. So Bielsa decided to give some of his top stars a bit of a timeout.
Fabrizio Posted:
Decision to avoid Uruguay call for Fede Valverde has been made mutually with national team’s staff. Valverde will stay in Madrid and rest ahead of upcoming games.
It’s not just Valverde catching a break, either. Sergio Rochet, José María Giménez, Darwin Núñez, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Guillermo Varela, and Manuel Ugarte will also skip the matches. A clear sign that Bielsa’s focusing on long-term health over short-term results.
For Real Madrid, this is a quiet blessing. Valverde’s been one of their most reliable men this season, with over 740 minutes played in just nine games, barely missing a beat; he was even in action in the 3-1 victory over Villarreal that sent them top of the league table. He’s only been subbed off once. Now, under Xabi Alonso’s guidance, the Uruguayan will get a chance to reset both body and mind before returning to the heat of competition.
Sometimes, stepping back is the best way to move forward, and for Valverde, this break might just be what keeps him firing when it matters most.
