Federico Valverde stayed on the pitch until the final whistle in a 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid on Sunday. On Monday morning, Real Madrid confirmed why he had been limping: severe trauma to the left ankle, sustained inside the opening 45 minutes.

The club’s medical services put the 28-year-old at two to three weeks out, pending further tests. The tackle by Lee Kang-in that caused it was not punished by referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias, even after a close-range look.

Mourinho took the image to the press room

Jose Mourinho brought a still of the challenge with him into his post-match press conference and put it in front of reporters, arguing the tackle “deserved a red card”.

Real Madrid also finished the game with ten men after Dean Huijsen’s red card.

Read also: Sydney Sweeney shares new photos as source says she has been in tears

International break buys recovery time

The timing is not entirely against Real Madrid. La Liga’s international break follows the derby, and Valverde is not expected to travel with Uruguay. That gives him a clear runway of rehab at Valdebebas rather than transatlantic travel and matches.

Madrid’s next competitive fixture is against Villarreal on 10 October, followed by a Champions League tie with Roma on 14 October and Sevilla on 18 October. On the current medical estimate, the Villarreal game is touch and go, and El Clasico against Barcelona on 25 October is where Mourinho actually needs him.

Six points behind Barcelona already

The derby defeat left Real Madrid on 15 points from seven matches, in fourth place. Barcelona sit top with a perfect record of 21 points and have not dropped a game this season.

Read also: United rule out Carrick sacking but set 10 October as the test

Read also: A 15-year-old is scoring for Vålerenga younger than Haaland ever managed, and Barcelona are watching