Federico Valverde was back in first-team training on Monday, giving Real Madrid a timely boost before Wednesday's Champions League trip to AEK Athens FC. He missed the 3-0 win over Racing Santander after discomfort during El Clasico, when he was forced off shortly after the hour mark with a hamstring problem. A Bola said Valverde was present at the session and that everything indicates he may be an option against AEK.
Valverde's return and the selection call
The simple reading is that Madrid have a key player back in the building. Valverde has made 13 appearances across competitions this season, and he has been one of the more reliable pieces in José Mourinho's squad when fit. His Champions League rating this season is 7.22, which is part of why his availability matters for a tricky away trip.
The caution is still there. Sports Mole have stressed that his return does not amount to a full guarantee, only that he is now in contention after the hamstring issue in El Clasico. That is the sensible line to take on the current evidence, and it fits with the wording around him being an option rather than a confirmed starter.
Madrid's injury list around the trip
Real Madrid are still missing Rodrygo, who remains sidelined with a knee injury and is not expected back before late December. Raúl Asencio underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his leg and is not expected to return until January.
Ferland Mendy has returned to the training pitch, but he is not yet fully fit and is not in the Champions League league-phase squad. Madrid's own form gives them room to manage that list carefully. They have won their opening three matches in this season's Champions League league phase, sit fourth in the standings with nine points from three games, and have won their last six matches in all competitions.
AEK Athens FC vs Real Madrid is on Wednesday, and Madrid go into it with the better hand even before team selection is settled.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
