Why Real Madrid star apologised to an Atlético fan during derby

A leading member of the midfield ranks at Real Madrid tonight issued a message of apology, to a supporter of arch rivals Atlético.

This comes owing to developments in the buildup to the latest edition of the Madrid Derby.

The headline fixture of the La Liga weekend is of course currently playing out in the Spanish capital, Diego Simeone’s Atlético having welcomed Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid to the Wanda Metropolitano.

As things stand amid a tense atmosphere in Madrid, the two sides remain deadlocked at 0-0, both in desperate search of what could well prove an all-important opener.

*Update* – Real Madrid have since taken the lead, through Éder Militão.

And yet, as alluded to above, ahead of kick-off on Sunday, rivalries were momentarily put to one side by one member of the visitors’ squad.

The player in question? Federico Valverde.

After midfielder Valverde directed a wayward shot into the home crowd whilst warming up for the derby, one Atlético fan was left visibly shaken up.

The Uruguayan, in turn, made his way to the hoardings, to issue a heartfelt apology to the supporter in question:

Conor Laird – GSFN