From this perspective, the Madrid derby between Atletico and Real seems like old news. However, 17 days after the match in question, we have been given every reason to revisit two of its main protagonists. Atletico defeated their biggest rivals 2–1, and one of the incidents that defined the clash between the Rojiblancos and Los Blancos was the duel between Kang-in Lee and Federico Valverde. It must be said that the South Korean midfielder’s challenge was a fierce one. Real subsequently announced that the Uruguayan had suffered a grade-three ankle sprain following the collision with the Atletico player. The Royal Club then demanded that their city rivals’ player be suspended with immediate effect. However…Queremos felicitar al @RealMadrid por seguir haciendo historia al demostrar que el 100% de la comunidad médica mundial estaba equivocada. #RecuperaciónMilagrosa #ParteMédico #EsguinceGrado3 #HistoriaQueTúHiciste— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) October 9, 2026 Just 17 days after Valverde was supposedly left with a “serious injury”, he suddenly recovered and returned to the squad list. Naturally, Atletico were not going to miss the opportunity to mock their biggest rivals, describing Real’s latest move as “Valverde’s miracle”.“We would like to congratulate Real Madrid once again for continuing to make history by proving that 100 per cent of the global medical community was wrong,” Atletico wrote sarcastically in a post on the club’s official Twitter account.Mou and Los Blancos brought to their knees: Atletico rule Madrid!It is clear that Atletico are, in a way, accusing their biggest rivals of turning the entire Valverde injury saga into a farce — an interpretation that, given how events have unfolded, may well prove to be accurate. The Royal Club delayed and dragged out updates on the Uruguayan’s condition for as long as it possibly could, only to end up shooting itself in the foot. Valverde has been included in the squad for Saturday’s clash with Villarreal. What is more, Real’s captain completed training with the team without any problems and informed the public that he had recovered from his “serious injury”.Mourinho accuses the press over targeting MbappeYet, in the eyes of Atletico and football fans around the world alike, the episode has cast a shadow over both the player and the club, raising suspicions that everything that happened during the derby — a match Valverde himself also played in — was nothing more than an attempt at manipulation. If it turns out that the injury was fabricated, although it remains questionable how such a claim could be proven, it would be a major embarrassment for a club widely regarded as the biggest in the world.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 8FridayMalaga – Espanyol 1-1 (0-1)/Nino 90+3 – Zaragoza 13/Saturday15.00: (2.75) Rayo Vallecano (3.20) Ath.Bilbao (2.65) 17.15: (4.60) Alaves (3.60) Atl.Madrid (1.80) 19.30: (1.10) Barcelona (11.0) Getafe (18.0) 22.00: (1.37) Real Madrid (5.85) Villareal (6.55) Sunday15.00: (2.80) Elche (3.25) Celta (2.60) 17.15: (1.67) Sociedad (3.70) La Coruna (5.50) 19.30: (1.57) Betis (4.00) Osasuna (6.00) 22.00: (2.30) Santander (3.50) Valencia (3.00)Monday22.00: (2.75) Levante (3.20) Sevilla (2.65)***odds are subject to change***
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