Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde will miss Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona after sustaining an injury during a training ground altercation with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni, according to Fabrizio Romano. The incident, which reportedly began on Wednesday and continued into Thursday, led to disciplinary proceedings being opened against both players by the club.
The initial dispute escalated from a heated exchange during a training session into a physical altercation that required intervention from other squad members. Thursday saw a continuation of the argument, with Valverde accusing Tchouameni of leaking details of the first incident. The situation culminated in Valverde striking a corner of a table, necessitating a trip to hospital for stitches.
Real Madrid released a statement confirming the disciplinary action, stating the club will provide updates once internal procedures are complete. The nature of the accusations and the extent of the fallout have created a turbulent atmosphere within the squad, particularly as Los Blancos face a likely trophyless season.
The incident has overshadowed speculation surrounding a potential return for Jose Mourinho to the Bernabeu, with reports suggesting club president Florentino Perez is considering replacing current manager Alvaro Arbeloa. While Mourinho’s potential arrival was already a significant talking point, the internal conflict has become the dominant narrative.
Further compounding the issues at Madrid, Kylian Mbappe has faced criticism for taking a holiday during his recovery from a hamstring injury, with a petition circulating demanding improved behaviour from the forward and even calling for his departure. Reports also surfaced of another training ground incident involving Antonio Rudiger and Alvaro Carreras, highlighting a growing divide within the team. The club has reportedly made a decision regarding the potential sale of Mbappe this summer.
Additionally, Manchester City have emerged as “serious contenders” to sign Vinicius Junior should the Brazilian winger fail to agree to a contract extension with Real Madrid, according to sources. This adds another layer of uncertainty to the club’s future plans as they navigate a period of internal strife and potential squad overhaul.
