Mourinho Stands by Valverde Despite Criticisms

Portuguese José Mourinho continues to have full confidence in Federico Valverde, despite the criticisms that have been directed at the Uruguayan midfielder after his season with Real Madrid and Uruguay's early exit from the 2026 World Cup, as the coach plans to give him a key role in his project with the Royal team.

The Spanish newspaper 'Mundo Deportivo' indicated that Valverde bid farewell to the World Cup competitions after Uruguay's loss to Spain, a result that sparked anger among fans and media in his country, who sharply criticized the player for his performance during the tournament.

The newspaper added that Uruguay's exit from the World Cup closed the curtain on a difficult season experienced by Valverde, who remained under constant criticism with Real Madrid before it extended to his international participation with his national team.

The season also witnessed several crises surrounding the midfielder, including his disputes with several coaches, including Marcelo Bielsa, in addition to his problem with teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni, which led some voices to call for his departure from Real Madrid during the summer transfer window.

Nonetheless, Mundo Deportivo confirmed that Mourinho has no doubts about Valverde's abilities and intends to give him a pivotal role within Real Madrid's lineup next season, understanding that the first step is to restore the best version of the player.

The report explained that the Portuguese coach has already held a session with Valverde, during which he urged him to leave all disputes and crises behind and focus entirely on his performance on the field, paving the way for regaining his well-known form with Real Madrid.