Fede Valverde has become an undisputed starter at Real Madrid, having made the starting XI in all 8 league matches so far. He has played 97% of the total minutes in La Liga this season, and has also featured in the entirety of their two Champions League games this season.
The midfielder has played all possible games for Real Madrid and the Uruguay national team since the start of the 21/22 season, which amounts to 16 games in 61 days. Since Madrid’s match against Athletic Club Bilbao was suspended this Saturday due to their players returning late from international duty, Valverde has until the middle of the week to rest and recover before Madrid face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
For the national team, he has played every minute of their six games so far in the new season. Valverde averages a game played every 3.8 days and seems to have no rest in sight. This is worrying for fans of the club because the player could risk a muscle injury due to overexertion.
Fortunately, Casmiro, Eduardo Camavinga, Marco Asensio and Isco have recovered from their recent knocks and can feature for the team again. With other options now available, Carlo Ancelotti can rest Valverde so that he is less likely to sustain an injury and can be available throughout the season. Madrid will face Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season this Sunday after their Champions League game midweek.
