Why Real Madrid midfielder’s exemption from national team is a blessing in disguise | OneFootball

Real Madrid received some welcome news ahead of the upcoming international break, as several of their star players, namely, Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Federico Valverde, were not called up by their national teams.

Among them, Valverde’s absence is particularly significant for the club, given the heavy workload he has carried over the past seasons.

The Uruguayan midfielder has been virtually ever-present for both club and country.

In fact, as reported by SPORT, over the last three seasons, he has played 174 out of 184 matches for Real Madrid, missing only ten – three due to injury and seven due to tactical resting.

On top of that, he has appeared in 23 of 21 possible games for Uruguay during the same period, bringing his total to 197 games out of 209. This relentless schedule has placed a tremendous physical strain on him.

Valverde needs rest to regain top form

Valverde’s game is built on physicality and endurance. His ability to cover large areas of the pitch makes him a versatile presence, capable of contributing in multiple lines.

Federico Valverde has never backed out of any challenge. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

However, the accumulation of matches has started to take its toll, and his performance at the start of this season has reflected the fatigue from constant activity.

Adding to the pressure, Valverde recently made statements about not being born to play as a full-back, which coincided with injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal.

This was misinterpreted by some as resistance to playing out of position, though he has previously shown he can perform effectively in defensive roles.

With this international break, Real Madrid now have the opportunity to give Valverde much-needed rest, allowing him to recover, rebuild strength, and reset mentally and physically.

Considering his history of heavy game time and near-constant minutes, this pause is vital to protect his performance levels and long-term durability.