Two players on a soccer field, one in a yellow uniform and the other in a white uniform, with players in the background in action.
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Baena's Confession After His Conflict With Fede Valverde: I've Needed...

The midfielder acknowledges that he went through tough times after his conflict with the Uruguayan and admits to having needed psychological help

Álex Baena's Career, a young talent from Villarreal, was altered by an incident that marked him deeply. In 2023, a conflict with Fede Valverde, a midfielder from Real Madrid, unleashed a wave of media pressure that affected both the player and his family.

Baena, in a recent interview at Club del Deportista, revealed how difficult it was to face that situation. "We had a very hard time, both my family and I," the footballer confessed. "We had never experienced that kind of media pressure, neither in the press nor when we went to the fields," he added.

Two players on the field, one in a white uniform and the other in a yellow uniform, during a match.
Fede Valverde and Baena | Real Madrid Confidencial

Everything Up in the Air

The incident caused great controversy, and the criticism toward Baena was quick to arrive. "At that moment, I didn't know how to manage anything," he acknowledged. The young footballer was not prepared for the magnitude of public scrutiny, which affected him emotionally.

To overcome the situation, Baena turned to his closest circle and a psychologist. "My family supported me a lot, the people who were by my side, and many hours with a psychologist," he explained. Thanks to this support, Baena managed to find the strength to endure the criticism and learn to manage it better.

Despite how hard the process was, Baena stated that he now handles the pressure differently. "Now I manage it differently," he assured, showing that the experience has allowed him to mature both personally and professionally.

Change of Attitude

The incident with Valverde was a turning point in Baena's life, but it also gave him the opportunity to learn to deal with the ups and downs of fame and media pressure.

A player from Real Madrid enthusiastically celebrates on the field during a match, wearing the team's white uniform.
Fede Valverde celebrating a goal against Villarreal | Real Madrid Confidencial

The Villarreal player continues to work on his development and seems to have emerged stronger from this experience.

The conflict with Fede Valverde, although painful, left valuable lessons for Álex Baena, who now feels more prepared to face any challenge that comes his way in his sports career.

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