Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde is in hot water after he reportedly punched Villarreal’s Alex Baena following his side’s 3-2 defeat to the Yellow Submarine on Saturday night.
12 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona heading into the game, Los Blancos could not afford any more slip ups to keep their slim chances of reeling in the Catalan giants this season.
However, after taking the lead early in the second half through Vinicius Jr, two late goals saw them fall to a 3-2 defeat, and hands Barca the chance to move 15 points clear at the top with just 10 games left to play.
The game, though, was soured by a more significant undertone involving Valverde.
According to ESPN, the Uruguayan midfielder ‘waited by the Villarreal team bus in the stadium’s parking lot after the match’ to confront Alex Baena.
¿Mañana qué? #RealMadridVillarreal pic.twitter.com/E8VYLP6xA5
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) April 8, 2023
The reason? It emerged that the Villarreal man had been making comments about his unborn child, which had begun when the sides had last met in January.
He followed up those comments with further snide remarks during Saturday’s clash, which ultimately left Valverde incensed and feeling as though he had to take action.
It remains to be seen whether Baena will press charges for what Villarreal’s delegate described as Valverde’s ‘loutish and cowardly’ actions in a now-deleted tweet.
