Fede Valverde’s Real Madrid trip hangs in the balance after Mourinho update

Fede Valverde is a major doubt for Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Racing Santander on Sunday, 01 November 2026, after missing the final training session before the game.

Medical tests have ruled out a serious injury for the Uruguay international, according to AS, but Valverde did not take part in training on Saturday morning. His absence from the session has raised the possibility that he may not travel with the squad to Santander.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho had already confirmed that Valverde would not start the 11th-round fixture. However, the player is now also at risk of being left out of the travelling party altogether.

Mourinho said during his news conference: “Tomorrow, Valverde will not be in the starting line-up.”

The club has not yet made a definitive statement on whether Valverde will be available, while the final decision is expected in the coming hours. Real Madrid’s squad list is due to be announced late, with current indications strongly suggesting that the player will remain behind to rest.

Valverde was the most notable absentee from Real Madrid’s training session on Saturday, failing to come out on to the pitch with the rest of the group. Although there has been no confirmation of a significant injury, the signs point towards the player being given time to recover.

The decision is also being considered with Real Madrid’s upcoming match against AEK Athens in mind. Valverde’s absence from the trip to Racing Santander would therefore allow him to rest before that fixture.

Should Valverde miss Sunday’s game, the right-back position is expected to be filled by either Denzel Dumfries or Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Real Madrid’s final squad selection will clarify whether Valverde is absent only from the starting line-up, as Mourinho initially stated, or whether he will miss the entire trip to Racing Santander.