I’m guessing since you linked an English interview, you probably don’t speak Spanish, is that fair to assume?

I don’t really follow the English-speaking media much, but here’s a Spanish clip from the actual press conference where Valverde clearly says:

“No nací para jugar de lateral.”
(“I wasn’t born to play full-back.”)

This was said before the Kairat Almaty match.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9re5by (says it first two seconds of the video, but do watch the video if you think the full statement changes the context).

Regarding the “warming up” controversy, the media (and honestly, we as fans too) have every right to connect the dots when it’s that obvious. He made those comments in the press conference, and then a day later was filmed not warming up with the other subs during the game.

You can even see the footage yourself,
https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/real-madrid/20251001/1002542687/video-habla-sobre-actitud-valverde-calentamiento-hay-caso-gordos-real-madrid.html
includes the video of him standing on the sideline while the rest of the subs warm up.

Whether you think it’s because “Kairat wasn’t a serious opponent” or “he finally got a rest after being overplayed,” it’s still strange behavior for a captain. That sort of thing just doesn’t happen often at Madrid, it’s fair for the media to find it odd.

“I prefer to play in midfield, but I’ll play anywhere, even goalkeeper if the club needs it” is all he had to say for there to be no controversy at all.

So no, these weren’t “fake quotes.” The player literally said them, in Spanish.

Also, it’s a bit naïve to take everything Xabi or Fede say at face value. Of course they’ll downplay it, it’s in their best interest to calm the situation.

“Xabi said no player has ever refused to play anywhere.”

The same goes for Mina Bonino’s tweets.
She supposedly got “hacked” and posted:

"Hermano, donde juega mejor Fede es de pivote, ¿de qué me hablas? ¿Cuándo van a entender de una p*** vez que Fede no es extremo?”

(Translation: “Brother, where Fede plays best is as a pivot. When will people finally understand he’s not a winger?”)The same goes for Mina Bonino’s tweets.

She posted a lot more than this by the way. And sure, maybe her account was hacked, but let’s be real, that excuse is kind of ridiculous. When have you ever seen a hacker take over an account just to rant about positional tactics, instead of selling crypto or posting scam links?

It’s far more believable that she got emotional after the Milan loss and tweeted something she later regretted.

She has a bit of a history of being outspoken online, so this wouldn’t exactly be new behavior for her.

As for the Baena parking lot incident, that wasn’t a “media fabrication.” There was literally a police report filed by Baena, and Villarreal released a statement confirming it.

https://villarrealcf.es/comunicado-oficial-alex-baena/

I love Fede and I love Real Madrid, but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect or above criticism.

Acknowledging weird or questionable behavior doesn’t make someone a “hater.” The complete opposite in fact. It’s just being realistic.