There were five goals and a stunning late winner as Villarreal and Real Madrid played out the most absorbing encounter of last weekend’s La Liga action, but the bigger drama took place after the match, away from the TV cameras.
When Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde entered the pitch as a substitute in the 59th minute with his team 2-1 up, he did so with instructions from Carlo Ancelotti’s staff clear in his mind. He was also thinking about something else.
Over an hour later, once the final whistle had blown on the away side’s 3-2 victory, in the Santiago Bernabeu parking lot, Valverde punched Villarreal midfielder Alex Baena in the face.
Sources close to Valverde, as well as sources close to Baena and at Villarreal, described to The Athletic how it unfolded. Like all sources cited in this story, they spoke anonymously to protect their positions.
As Villarreal’s players were preparing to board their team bus, Valverde emerged, approached Baena, and struck him on the cheek. Baena did not see him coming but, according to sources close to Valverde, the Uruguayan had told him he would be waiting for him.
Valverde and Baena compete for the ball during Saturday’s match in Madrid (Photo: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The first witness to react was Xisco Nadal, a former Villarreal player and club delegate, who tweeted: “Fede Valverde, you punk and coward!” Nadal later deleted the message.
There are different versions of this story’s origins, however.
According to sources close to Valverde, he was motivated by a desire for revenge over an insult Baena allegedly made to him in their Copa del Rey meeting on January 19 about the child Valverde is expecting with his wife. Baena has strongly denied this.
Back in January, it was rumoured there were problems with Valderde’s wife’s pregnancy. In February, she wrote about these problems herself in an Instagram post, revealing that the baby she is carrying was now seen to be healthy, with doctors having re-evaluated a previous diagnosis.
Late last Saturday, immediately after news of Valverde’s aggression emerged, Spanish media reported details of Baena’s alleged insult. The Athletic contacted Baena’s representative agency, CAA Stellar, for comment.
“All lies. Incredible,” was their response. “Baena says he does not know why Valverde hit him.”
Minutes later, Baena posted a message on Instagram that ended with the line, in block capitals: “IT IS TOTALLY UNTRUE THAT I SAID THAT.”
When Villarreal returned home from Madrid, having travelled back by train, TV cameras captured footage of Baena’s swollen face.
On Sunday, in response to a request for comment from The Athletic, a Villarreal spokesperson replied: “We support and will support Baena in this situation and will respect the decision he makes, whether he decides to make a police complaint against Valverde or not.
“The club will not denounce Real Madrid in this matter. Baena is affected both by the aggression and by what is said about the alleged motive for the aggression, which he claims is false. Baena did not know (and does not know) Valverde’s family situation.”
In the meantime, Madrid and Valverde’s entourage went into damage-limitation mode. One of Valverde’s representatives called Baena’s agent, asking the player not to file a complaint.
Baena’s agent replied that the player strongly denied making the comments Valverde alleged he had and that the fact he was now being sent abuse on social networks had led him to decide to take up the matter with the police.
On Monday, Baena published a statement in which he described receiving death threats. He confirmed he had reported the incident to the police.
“Last Saturday, I was assaulted by a fellow professional after the match against Real Madrid,” Baena posted on Instagram.
“After the event, some statements allegedly made by his entourage came to light, in which it was said I had wished for the death of a family member.
“Since then, there has been no evidence published to prove the allegations made against me. A tragedy was used to justify the aggression and there are lies that hurt more than blows.
“The damage being done to my family is irreparable and unjustifiable: threats, insults and even private messages wishing death to my family.
“Yesterday, I reported the case to the police. Let justice do its job. My only objective now is to focus on my profession and help my club to achieve its objectives.”
It is worth noting here that Valverde is not currently facing an investigation from Spain’s football authorities. This is because the incident was not mentioned in the referee’s report.
Valverde came off the bench in Saturday’s game, with his side 2-1 up at the time (Photo: Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Still, Madrid began to worry punishment could be sought through some special means and that such action might be motivated by their bad relationship with the Spanish Football Association.
“We do not work like that,” a Spanish FA source told The Athletic. “In addition, although it depends on the Spanish FA, the competition committee (the body that rules on sanctions) is autonomous.”
Valverde has let it be known that he does not regret punching Baena. Sources close to the player spoke to The Athletic of his determination to stand by his claim Baena had allegedly insulted him in January if the matter ended up going to court.
Real Madrid have asked Valverde and his entourage for absolute silence on the matter, as have the player’s lawyers. But Mina Bonino, Valverde’s wife, who last Sunday posted on Instagram images of him playing with his son at home, has tweeted twice to defend her husband and his version of events. Although the club understands her position, with the alleged insult relating to such a sensitive issue, this has not gone down well at Madrid.
Valverde believes the best thing for the club is for him to be silent although, on a personal level, he would like to speak. So far, he has done so timidly, via a couple of brief comments to the cameras while signing autographs after training at Madrid’s training ground.
Ancelotti and Valverde pictured after Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Chelsea in the Champions League (Photo: Diego Souto/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
On the pitch, he put in a great performance against Chelsea in Wednesday night’s Champions League quarter-final first leg. The home fans showed their support for him on three occasions: cheering when his name was called out as the line-ups were announced, just before the start of the match, and in the 15th minute (15 is his shirt number).
After Madrid’s 2-0 victory, manager Carlo Ancelotti said he had been the best player on the pitch.
Valverde could yet, however, be punished with a ban and Monday morning might well mark the next development.
That is when the Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD), a governmental body, will discuss the case via its anti-violence commission. This could lead to it recommending the Spanish FA take up the case, citing extraordinary circumstances. If this were to occur, Valverde would face a possible suspension of between two and four matches, but it would take around a month for any decision to be reached, meaning he would be free to play in the Copa del Rey final on May 6, whatever happens.
Another potential outcome could see the CSD decide to punish Valverde itself, which could lead to a ban from all sports venues of between one and six months.
However, it is also possible that neither outcome will come to pass and, speaking to The Athletic, the Spanish FA has said it does not believe Valverde will receive a ban.
Meanwhile, the player is waiting to be notified of any criminal charges.
