Tensions have increased dramatically inside the Real Madrid dressing room ahead of this weekend’s El Clasico against FC Barcelona, with midfielder Federico Valverde now officially ruled out of the match after suffering a head injury during a scuffle with teammate Aurelien Tchoumeni in training.The incident occurred during Thursday’s session at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas complex, just days before the crucial meeting with Barcelona and follows an earlier clash between the two midfielders during Wednesday’s training.According to ESPN sources, the brawl took place at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex on Thursday, just three days before the club’s crucial meeting with Barcelona. The incident reportedly followed an earlier confrontation between the two midfielders during Wednesday’s training session.
Real Madrid confirm Valverde has suffered a head injury
Real Madrid confirmed on Friday that Valverde had been diagnosed with cranioencephalic trauma following a medical examination. The club said in a statement: “Following tests carried out today by Real Madrid Medical Services on our player Fede Valverde, he has been diagnosed with cranioencephalic trauma. “Valverde is in good condition at home and will need to rest for 10 to 14 days, as indicated by the medical protocol for this diagnosis.” The injury means the Uruguay captain will miss Sunday’s El Clasico. There were no reports of injuries to Tchoumeni following the incident involving the France international.
Valverde had to get stitches after the controversy
According to a source who spoke to ESPN, the confrontation occurred at the end of training after a practice match which included several heavy challenges.The source said Chouameni initially went to the changing rooms, followed shortly by Valverde who entered “looking very tense”, where the fight reportedly escalated.Another source told ESPN that Valverde kicked Tchoumeni during training, before the two exchanged insults, with Tchoumeni reportedly hitting Valverde hard during the confrontation.The same source claimed that there had been tension between the pair since Xabi Alonso was still at the club.ESPN further reported that Valverde was injured during the incident and later required stitches after being taken to the hospital.
Tension increased further after the dispute on Wednesday
Spanish outlet Marca had previously reported that the two midfielders were involved in a heated argument during Wednesday’s session following a disturbance in training.According to reports, tensions continued into Thursday, with the situation internally described as “much worse” than the original incident.Marca also claimed that Valverde refused to shake Tchoumeni’s hand when he returned to training following an earlier confrontation, describing the atmosphere inside the team as bad.Other teammates reportedly intervened before the situation escalated during Thursday’s clash.
Alvaro Arbeloa An emergency meeting was reportedly held
Following the incident, head coach Álvaro Arbeloa called an emergency crisis meeting in an attempt to calm tensions within the dressing room.The incident comes amid growing scrutiny over the environment within the Real Madrid team under head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.Spanish reports this week have claimed that many players are barely speaking to each other, while six members of the squad are also reportedly not having direct contact with Arbeloa.The atmosphere around the club is already tense after Kylian Mbappe was criticized following a brief trip to Sardinia while recovering from a left hamstring problem.
Mbappé also remains at the center of investigation
Mbappe was photographed with girlfriend Ester Exposito on a yacht in Sardinia last weekend while recovering from injury.The French forward returned to training on Monday, but the travel time reportedly caused frustration among the squad and supporters.Spanish reports claimed there was “disagreement” among teammates over the leave, while an online petition demanding Mbappe leave the club reportedly gained momentum earlier this week.Mbappé also released a statement through a spokesperson insisting that the criticism leveled at him “does not correspond to reality and the work that Kylian does daily for the good of the team”.The France captain has already faced criticism this season over alleged “individualism” within the dressing room and was also reportedly involved in a heated altercation with one of Arbeloa’s assistants during training.He also attracted attention after reportedly liking, and then deleting, a social media post that called for Jose Mourinho to return to Madrid and replace Arbeloa at the end of the season.Hours after the alleged altercation between Valverde and Tchoumeni on Thursday, footage also emerged showing Mbappe walking away from training at the Valdebebas complex smiling and laughing.
The pressure on El Clasico continues to grow
The timing of the reported incidents adds further pressure ahead of the final El Clasico of the season.Barcelona are currently 11 points ahead of Real Madrid in the La Liga table, with Barcelona’s title celebrations being delayed due to Madrid’s recent win over RCD Espanyol.A Madrid defeat this weekend could officially confirm Barcelona as league champions when the two rivals meet at the Camp Nou on Sunday.