Julio Dely Valdés laments Real Oviedo's relegation in Spain

Julio César Dely Valdés, a revered figure in Panamanian football and a historical icon of Real Oviedo, has shared his deep sorrow regarding the recent relegation of his former Spanish club. In an interview with Diario AS, the legendary striker, who scored 40 goals for the Asturian side, offered his candid assessment of the current struggles plaguing Real Madrid, a club he also has historical ties with.

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the absence of Carlo Ancelotti is key in the madrileño decline. The Panamanian assures that under the command of the Italian coach, the current internal friction and bad atmosphere would not have occurred, calling Ancelotti a "master" in group management.

Dely Valdés pointed to the absence of Carlo Ancelotti as a critical factor in Real Madrid's decline. He asserted that under the Italian manager's guidance, the internal friction and negative atmosphere currently gripping the club would not have occurred, praising Ancelotti as a "master" of group management. He specifically called the confrontation between Tchouameni and Valverde, which resulted in the Uruguayan player being hospitalized, "grave" and unprecedented.

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grave and unheard of the confrontation between Tchouameni and Valverde, which ended with the Uruguayan player in the hospital.

Looking for a short-term solution to restore order, Dely Valdés proposed José Mourinho as the ideal profile to "impose discipline" and manage the egos of the star players. On the strictly sporting front, he expressed a preference for Kylian Mbappé over Vinicius Jr., deeming the French forward more "lethal" and possessing a superior goal-scoring instinct. However, he cautioned Mbappé about maintaining a "discreet" attitude during times of crisis to regain fan support.

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ideal profile to "put order" and control the ego of the stars.

Beyond his analysis of Spanish football, Dely Valdés remains active, coaching in Costa Rica and preparing to work as a television commentator for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. He remains optimistic about Panama's chances in their World Cup group, while identifying Spain, France, and Portugal as top contenders for the title. His emotional connection to Real Oviedo, however, remains paramount, and he expressed his profound sadness at the club's descent, a sentiment shared by many in Panama who remember his iconic contributions to the sport.

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Frenchman is a much more "lethal" player and with greater instinct in front of goal.