Atlético mocks Valverde’s “miracle” and reignites controversy with Real Madrid

Atlético mocked Valverde’s “miracle” and reignited the controversy surrounding the Uruguay midfielder’s injury at Real Madrid. He was restored to the squad just 17 days after the club announced a third-degree ankle sprain, sustained following a forceful tackle by Kang-in Lee in the derby. Real Madrid had called for the tackler to be sent off directly.

The injury dates back to the derby on 20 September, which Real Madrid lost 2-1 at the Metropolitano stadium. Three weeks after that match, Atlético brought the incident back into focus, with the controversy having surrounded both the game and its aftermath, particularly after the medical report was released.

Atlético Madrid marked Valverde’s return with a sarcastic message: « We want to renew our congratulations to Real Madrid for continuing to write history by proving that 100% of the global medical community was wrong ». Atlético Madrid did not miss the chance to poke fun at the “Valverde miracle”.

Real Madrid’s first statement, released just after the derby, described a “serious injury to the left ankle”. On 22 September, following further tests, the club specified a “third-degree sprain of the left ankle”; the recovery period would remain “subject to continuous evaluation”.

The return took shape ahead of the next fixture: Real Madrid’s captain, who had been injured in the derby against Atlético, took part in the last training session without any problems and was available to José Mourinho. The club had kept Valverde’s comeback under wraps for as long as possible, until it published the squad for the following day’s, Saturday’s, match against Villarreal.

During the derby, Valverde had played on after the blow; concern emerged only after the final whistle, when swelling was noticed at the injury site. After the international break, he was ready and available for Mourinho. Atlético Madrid seized on his quick recovery to offer its “congratulations”, reviving a controversy that was still echoing three weeks after the derby.