Real Madrid’s latest LaLiga EA Sports win over Real Sociedad came with some bad news for the coaching staff. Two players joined the injury list: Brahim Díaz, with a muscle issue, and Uruguayan midfielder Fede Valverde, who’s been diagnosed with lumbosciatica.

The club’s medical report confirmed: “After tests done today by Real Madrid’s Medical Services on our player Fede Valverde, he has been diagnosed with lumbosciatica. His condition is pending evolution.” This injury could sideline him from upcoming matches with the Uruguayan national team, which faces Paraguay on June 6 and Venezuela on June 11.

A key player at risk

Fede Valverde has been the player with the most minutes this season at Real Madrid, featuring in 59 of the team’s 62 matches. Toward the end of the season, he dealt with muscle discomfort but kept playing because of the injury crisis under Carlo Ancelotti — a challenge now inherited by Xabi Alonso.

Lumbosciatica is a combo of lower back pain and sciatica caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, leading to pain radiating from the lower back down the legs. How quickly Valverde recovers will determine if he can be ready for the Club World Cup, one of Madrid’s major targets for the upcoming season.