Not long ago, Real Madrid center midfielder Fede Valverde was the most beloved member of the squad and seen as a true leader. So when he ascended to the captaincy after helping the club return to the summit of the Champions League with his unselfish work as the team's engine in both the center of midfield and even on the right wing, it was seen as a natural progression to the next step for the Uruguayan star.
Now, though, Real Madrid are having second thoughts. Fede's behavior this season has been quite unbecoming. Even at the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign, Valverde made headlines for all the wrong reasons by defying Xabi Alonso, apparently working against him after complaining openly about helping the team at right back - a task he had taken on without complaints and had even bragged about putting the team first in the past, including playing through injury.
How things have changed. In 2026, Valverde is in the headlines for being the aggressor, fighting teammates and getting dropped to the floor for his efforts. Some leader. And now, Real Madrid players and the club are reportedly reconsidering the seniority rule, with a vote potentially taking place to oust Valverde as captain.
Fede Valverde is not acting like a captain
According to a report from The Athletic, via the Madrid Zone, voices in the Real Madrid locker room believe Fede Valverde is the main person to blame for what happened between him and Aurelien Tchouameni. Although Valverde ended up on the ground with a concussion, most media reports state that he was the one who refused to shake Tchou's hand, pushed the Frenchman into responding violently, and rejected all attempts from Tchouameni and even his teammates at brokering peace after seemingly trying to injury his teammate all throughout practice.
Additionally, the report from The Athletic takes things a step further. One anonymous source in the locker room even told the outlet that Valverde has been behaving like this all season long and does not deserve to be a captain.
While it sadly sounds like there may be someone within the walls of the club trying to push Valverde out and discredit him by saying that he thinks Fede should not be captain, the reality is that Valverde's actions speak for themselves. He has not acted like captain material at all. Aside from this fight, his tantrums when Xabi Alonso were well documented, as he was pouting, refusing to come into games, and complaining about playing right back. Valverde has now become a symbol that is the opposite of what he was early in his Real Madrid career, and it would not be surprising at all if the final consequence was Real simply picking a new captain to lead the way.
Add us as a preferred source on Google