Real Madrid, Villarreal Clash Amid Valverde Injury Controversy

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde has been named in the squad for the upcoming match against Villarreal, marking a rapid return to action that has sparked significant debate. The inclusion comes just 17 days after Real Madrid officially announced that the midfielder suffered a 3rd-degree ankle sprain following a tackle by Atletico Madrid's Lee Kang-in.

Why is this trending in South Korea?

The situation is trending in South Korea due to the involvement of national team player Lee Kang-in, whose tackle on Valverde became a focal point for intense criticism from Real Madrid and the Spanish media.

What happened?

During a match on September 20 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid, Lee Kang-in challenged Valverde for the ball. While the referee did not issue a card during the game, Real Madrid later claimed the tackle warranted a direct red card. Following the match, the club issued statements indicating Valverde had sustained a 3rd-degree ankle sprain, an injury that typically requires a recovery period of up to 12 weeks.

Why is Atletico Madrid involved?

Following the announcement that Valverde was included in the squad for the Villarreal match, Atletico Madrid posted a mocking message on social media. The club stated they wanted to congratulate Real Madrid for proving that 100% of the global medical community was wrong, implying that the severity of the injury was exaggerated to criticize the officiating in the earlier match involving Lee Kang-in.

What is confirmed and what is not?

It is confirmed that Valverde was named to the squad list 17 days after the injury diagnosis was released. It is not confirmed whether the initial diagnosis was inaccurate or if the player underwent an unexpectedly fast recovery process. The specific medical details behind the clearance to play remain internal to the club.