According to a report by Madrid Universal published on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Real Madrid have received encouraging news after captain Federico Valverde was declared fit for Sunday’s La Liga encounter against Racing Santander. The midfielder had raised concerns following the club’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona at the Camp Nou, where he experienced discomfort in the back of his right thigh.

Journalist Abraham P. Romero reported that additional medical assessments confirmed Valverde had not sustained an injury and remained available for selection. The development has relieved concerns within the Madrid camp as the team prepares for a demanding run of fixtures.

The 28-year-old reportedly experienced the problem after attempting a sliding tackle during the first half of the El Clasico. Although he felt discomfort, the Uruguay international continued playing before being replaced in the 62nd minute. His determination to remain on the pitch initially raised questions about the severity of the problem.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho later disclosed that his captain had continued playing despite the discomfort for more than 40 minutes. However, an MRI scan carried out on Wednesday confirmed that Valverde had avoided muscle damage, providing reassurance ahead of the upcoming matches.

Valverde has established himself as a crucial member of Mourinho’s tactical setup this season. The manager has frequently deployed him at right-back, where his defensive contributions and attacking runs help maintain balance across the team. His ability to perform in different positions has also allowed other players, including Bernardo Silva and Arda Guler, to occupy midfield roles.

Despite receiving medical clearance, Valverde may not necessarily start against Racing Santander. Mourinho could decide to manage his captain’s workload, considering Real Madrid’s demanding schedule, which includes away fixtures against Racing Santander, AEK Athens and Valencia.

The midfielder has already accumulated 1,071 minutes of playing time this season, representing approximately 92 per cent of the minutes available to him. Such a heavy workload could encourage Mourinho to rotate his squad and provide opportunities for alternatives such as Denzel Dumfries or Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Nevertheless, Valverde’s fitness update represents a significant boost for Real Madrid. His availability gives Mourinho greater flexibility when selecting his team, while the confirmation that he has avoided an injury removes an immediate concern ahead of Sunday’s trip. The final decision on whether the captain features from the beginning or receives a period of rest will depend on the manager’s assessment of the team’s physical demands and upcoming commitments.