Federico Valverde, the captain of the Uruguay national soccer team and Real Madrid star, will miss the upcoming friendly against Japan due to an injury sustained from a tackle by Lee Kang-in (25, Atlético Madrid). This news has sparked disappointment and criticism among Japanese soccer fans.
Soccer Digest reported on Wednesday that local fans have reacted strongly to Lee’s tackle, which has sidelined Valverde for the match against Japan.
The incident occurred during the Madrid Derby between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid on September 20, where Valverde suffered a Grade 3 ankle sprain following Lee’s challenge.
A Grade 3 sprain indicates a complete ligament tear, effectively ruling Valverde out of action for the foreseeable future.
The Uruguayan Football Association has subsequently removed Valverde from the national team roster. As a result, he’ll miss not only the Japan match on September 24 but also games against South Korea on September 28 and India on October 6.
Japanese fans are particularly disappointed to miss out on seeing the world-class midfielder Valverde in action on their home turf.
Soccer Digest reported various online reactions from Japanese fans, including comments like, “That was completely unnecessary,” “It was a reckless tackle,” and “Lee Kang-in is the reason Valverde can’t come to Japan.” Some fans even argued that Lee should have been shown a red card for the challenge.
Real Madrid also strongly criticized Lee’s tackle. The club’s official website labeled it as the second critical error of the match, claiming that Lee stepped on Valverde’s left ankle without even receiving a caution.
Real Madrid’s coach, José Mourinho, went as far as holding up a printed photo of the incident during his post-match press conference. He asserted that Lee should have been sent off and criticized the referee’s decision.
The repercussions of Lee’s tackle in the Madrid Derby have now extended beyond club soccer, affecting Uruguay’s Asian tour.
While local fans in Japan are disappointed to miss out on seeing Valverde play, South Korean fans will also be deprived of the opportunity to witness both Lee and Valverde face off in their national team colors on September 28.