Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has broken his silence following allegations that he punched Villarreal midfielder Alex Baena in the car park of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium after their recent match in La Liga.
Baena reported the incident to the authorities, while Valverde was asked for his perspective by reporters who caught up with him in his car as he signed shirts for fans.
He had this to say: “Yes, at this time I have leaned on the family, on the people of Madrid and those who support me on the street,” he told El Golazo de Gol.
According to reports, Valverde punched Baena after being taunted about his unborn son, who was not expected to survive at birth, but who was ultimately born healthy, a fact that Valverde celebrated during the Club World Cup.
Baena has denied making the comments but has confirmed that he reported an assault to the police. La Liga president Javier Tebas condemned the alleged assault, while Real Madrid fans showed their support for Valverde during their recent Champions League quarter-final win over Chelsea at the Santiago Bernabeu, chanting his name during the game.