Uruguay’s long autumn journey across Asia will begin without Federico Valverde, with the Real Madrid midfielder ruled out of friendlies in Japan, South Korea and India after suffering a serious left-ankle injury.
The 27-year-old has been diagnosed with a grade-three sprain, an assessment made following examinations by Real Madrid’s medical staff. The club said Valverde’s recovery would be monitored, leaving him unavailable for La Celeste’s three-match tour between 24 September and 6 October.
Valverde started Real Madrid’s most recent derby against Atlético Madrid at the Riyadh Metropolitano, a 2-1 defeat in which he was hurt after a heavy challenge from South Korea’s Kang-in Lee. His absence removes one of Uruguay’s most experienced midfield figures just as the national side prepares for an unusual sequence of fixtures across three countries.
Martínez joins Forlán’s travelling squad
Palmeiras midfielder Emiliano Martínez has been called in as Valverde’s replacement and will travel immediately to Miyagi, where he will report to interim senior coach Diego Forlán. The former Uruguay forward is balancing the role with his position as head coach of the country’s under-20 team.
Forlán was appointed Uruguay Under-20 manager on 6 August and was also placed in temporary charge of the full national team following Marcelo Bielsa’s departure. His first senior assignment takes the squad from northern Japan to Seoul before a final stop in Kolkata.
Uruguay meet Japan on 24 September at the Q&A Stadium in Miyagi. They then travel to the Seoul World Cup Stadium for the match against South Korea on 28 September, before facing India at Kolkata’s Vybk on 6 October.
The original group, announced on 16 September, included several newer faces around the established core. Villarreal centre-back Santiago Mouriño, Real Betis midfielder Facundo Bernal and Getafe forward Martín Satriano were among the notable selections for the Asian trip.
