Federico Valverde Jail: After Real Madrid’s 2-3 loss to Villarreal CF on Saturday at Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid’s Federico Valverde punched Villareal’s Alex Baena in the parking lot. The Uruguayan midfielder reacted angrily to alleged derogatory remarks that Baena made about his unborn child in the previous game at the Copa del Rey clash. However, since the incident took place in the parking lot, it may very well be a police case. If Baena presses charges, Valverde could face jail time for physical assault. Follow La Liga LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Alex Baena, with a swollen cheekbone after Fede Valverde’s punch.
— Real Madrid Info ³⁵ (@RMadridInfo) April 9, 2023
Spanish outlet, El Chiringuito has reported the argument between the two players. The Uruguayan waited for Baena in the area where the visiting team’s bus was parked to confront him. He allegedly asked him to repeat what he claimed had been said on the pitch.
According to the Spanish newspaper, MARCA, Valverde’s companions acknowledged the altercation. They admitted that Valverde punched Baena in the face after the game for ‘messing with his family’.
🚨👊 Valverde waited for Baena in the car park after the R.Madrid-Villarreal game and punched him in the face.
This was due to Baena saying to Valverde last match: “Cry now that your son is not going to be born.” — another comment was repeated like this today, reports @marca. pic.twitter.com/3bE7vmvMhT
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) April 8, 2023
As per Valverde, Baena kicked the Los Blancos midfielder and made derogatory comments when the two sides met on January 19. “Cry now that your son is not going to be born,” Baena allegedly said. While Valverde shrugged that off, Baena once again said something to him and Real Madrid midfielder waited for him at the parking lot.
Valverde’s partner Mina Bonino revealed on social media in February that the couple was close to losing their child, but eventually went well.
“Fede never has problems with anyone and this has been for something very serious that comes from before,” claims Valverde’s companions.
However, Alex Baena denies making any disrespectful comments about Valverde. After the game he tweeted, ‘Very happy with the impressive victory for the team on a stage like the Santiago Bernabeu. But at the same time very sad about the aggression, I suffered after the match.’
He added, ‘I am surprised by what is being said about my person. It is totally false that I said comments about Valverde’s family].’
View this post on Instagram
Villarreal have spoken to the Spanish Police about Valverde’s assault on Baena. The club is discussing possible courses of action as the team holds all the evidence.
‘Fede Valverde, loutish and cowardly,’ Villareal’s delegate, Xisco Nada tweeted on Saturday.
Valverde, 24, joined Madrid in 2016 and in recent seasons, he is one of the first names on the team sheet, a key player to coach Ancelotti’s side. On the other hand, Baena, 21, is a Villarreal’s youth product climbing into the first team regular this season, has registered four goals in 25 La Liga appearances so far.