Fede Valverde was one of the most talked-about players after Real Madrid's 2-1 defeat to Athletic Club at San Mamés. The Uruguayan midfielder lost possession of the ball, which led to Gorka Guruzeta's goal that secured the victory for the Basque side, leaving Valverde with a sense of responsibility following the match.

Valverde's Apology Message

Shortly after the game, Valverde took to social media to apologize to his teammates and the fans. On his Instagram account, the midfielder wrote: "Today was a tough blow, but I take responsibility, I face it, and I apologize. For my teammates and the fans. I know it's football, and these things can happen, but they are not foreign to me, and I didn’t want to avoid expressing myself for the mistake I made. There’s still a long road ahead, many competitions, and I’m sure many joys. Thank you. Hala Madrid."

Aware of the pressure on players in such situations, his teammates quickly responded to his apology. Despite the crucial mistake that led to the loss, Real Madrid's players showed great unity and support for Valverde.

Support from Teammates and Ancelotti

Coach Carlo Ancelotti also defended his player, stating in the press conference that mistakes are part of football and should not fall solely on Valverde. The solidarity within the Real Madrid dressing room was evident, with several players replying to Valverde’s message on Instagram.

Jude Bellingham, one of the team's key players, responded directly: "No need for apologies, we win and lose together, always." Kylian Mbappé also showed his backing, writing "always with you." Vinícius Jr. expressed his affection for his teammate with a simple and heartfelt message: "We love you."

A Unified Squad in Adversity

Collective support in tough moments is crucial for the success of any team. Valverde, like the rest of his teammates, understands that football has its ups and downs, but the backing from his colleagues and Ancelotti reinforces Real Madrid's winning mentality. The response from the squad to his apology highlights the strength of the team spirit, where unity and solidarity prevail over any individual mistake.