Mourinho Backs Valverde Amidst Difficult Season for Real Madrid Star
Despite a challenging period for Federico Valverde, Jose Mourinho reportedly remains a staunch supporter of the Real Madrid midfielder, earmarking him for a key role in the club's future.


Jose Mourinho has reportedly dismissed any doubts surrounding Federico Valverde’s future at Real Madrid, viewing the midfielder as a crucial component for the club’s upcoming projects despite a season marked by significant challenges.
Mourinho’s Stance
According to reports citing Mundo Deportivo, the Portuguese manager has made his position clear: Valverde is indispensable. This comes at a time when the 27-year-old Uruguayan has faced increased scrutiny, particularly following his nation’s early exit from the World Cup. Despite the criticism, Mourinho sees Valverde as a future leader for Real Madrid, potentially succeeding Dani Carvajal as captain.
A Difficult Campaign
Valverde’s past season has been far from smooth. His performances for Real Madrid under manager Xabi Alonso were noted to be inconsistent, a dip from his previous high standards. Beyond on-field issues, the midfielder reportedly experienced disagreements with Alonso and his coaching staff. Tensions also arose with Uruguay’s national team manager, Marcelo Bielsa. Adding to the difficulties, Valverde was involved in a well-publicized physical altercation with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni, which resulted in a head injury. These combined factors have led some to speculate about Valverde’s potential departure from the club.
Mourinho’s Vision for Valverde
Inside Real Madrid, however, Mourinho’s perspective is notably different. The manager is not considering moving Valverde on; instead, he plans to entrust him with a significant role. Mourinho’s primary objective is to help Valverde regain the form that established him as one of Europe’s most complete midfielders. Sources indicate that Mourinho has already spoken with Valverde, urging him to put recent controversies behind him and concentrate solely on his performance on the pitch. The manager’s focus is on rebuilding Valverde as a leader for a new era at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manager’s View | Jose Mourinho reportedly has no doubts about Valverde’s importance. |
| Player’s Season | Valverde has faced inconsistency and various personal/team challenges. |
| Mourinho’s Plan | To give Valverde an important role and help him rediscover his best form. |
| Future Leadership | Valverde is tipped to potentially succeed Dani Carvajal as captain. |
This development matters for NationalSportsWeb readers as it provides insight into the managerial perspective on a high-profile Real Madrid player navigating a turbulent period. It highlights the club’s long-term vision and the potential role of established players under new leadership.
Source: Yahoo Sports (https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mourinho-no-doubts-real-madrid-070500906.html)
Source
Yahoo Sports Original publication: 2026-06-28T07:05:00+00:00
Evan Mitchell
Evan covers national sports news, league calendars, teams and major event stories.