Fede Valverde diagnosed with grade 3 left ankle sprain

Real Madrid made Fede Valverde's diagnosis official on Tuesday: a grade 3 sprain in his left ankle. The Uruguayan midfielder picked up the injury in Sunday's derby after a hard challenge from Kang-In Lee. Once the swelling went down, medical tests confirmed the seriousness of the problem. He is expected to be out for around two weeks.

• Fede Valverde has a grade 3 sprain in his left ankle.
• The injury happened in the derby after a tackle from Kang-In Lee that was not punished with a red card.
• Real Madrid expects him to be out for about two weeks.
• Valverde will not join Uruguay during this international break.
• He is a doubt for the Real Madrid vs Villarreal match on October 10 at the Bernabeu.

What Real Madrid's medical report says about Fede Valverde

The club has released a statement explaining that Real Madrid's medical services diagnosed the player with a grade 3 sprain in his left ankle. The midfielder remains under observation, a common formula in the club's official updates when the return date depends on how the player responds to treatment.

This is the most serious type of ankle sprain. Grade 3 means a complete tear of the ligament, heavy swelling and a recovery that usually takes more than a week and a half. In this case, Real Madrid is working with a timeline of roughly two weeks.

The Kang-In Lee challenge that sent Valverde to the treatment room

The incident took place in the first half of the derby. Kang-In Lee went into the challenge with force and twisted Valverde's left ankle in the process. Real Madrid appealed strongly for a red card, but the referee did not show one and VAR did not consider the play worthy of a sending-off review.

Valverde finished the match on the pitch, clearly hampered. The club issued a first medical report that already pointed to an ankle injury, but it was not until Tuesday that tests could be carried out properly. The swelling was so severe that it prevented a clear image from being taken. Once it had reduced, the MRI confirmed the grade 3 sprain.

Which matches Fede Valverde will miss for Real Madrid

The international break comes at a bad time from a sporting point of view, but it softens the club calendar. Valverde will not travel with Uruguay, who face official matches during this window. His absence is certain for those games, a significant blow for the national team, where the Real Madrid man is a regular starter.

For Real Madrid, the big question is the match against Villarreal on October 10 at the Santiago Bernabeu. If the estimated timeline holds, the Uruguayan would be right on the edge. His progress will determine whether he is available for that game or whether the coaching staff prefer to hold him back for the next fixture.

What Real Madrid loses without Valverde in midfield

Valverde has become an essential piece in Real Madrid's system. His physical energy, ability to break lines and late runs into the box give the team options that are hard to replace. His versatility also allows him to move from central midfield to the wing without the side losing balance.

In a season packed with matches, losing a player of that profile for two weeks forces the squad to share minutes and adjust rotations. The midfield has alternatives, but none combine work rate, power and goals in quite the same way as the Uruguayan.

Frequently asked questions about Fede Valverde's injury