Tensions inside the Real Madrid dressing room have erupted again after a second training-ground bust-up between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni reportedly ended with the Uruguayan needing hospital treatment.
Reports on Wednesday claimed the pair had nearly come to blows in training. According to Marca, the situation worsened on Thursday following another confrontation after a “hostile” session.
Valverde is said to have refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand in the morning, sparking a fresh altercation that left the midfielder with a heavy cut to his head and requiring a hospital visit. The incident has been described as “very serious”, prompting an emergency meeting at the club and possible disciplinary action.
The fallout comes at a critical time for Madrid, who face Barcelona in Sunday’s El Clásico. Los Blancos trail their rivals by 11 points in La Liga with four games remaining and must win to keep their faint title hopes alive.
Newsextra24 reports that the clash adds to growing unrest inside the squad. Kylian Mbappe is believed to have a strained relationship with teammates, while Antonio Rudiger and Alvaro Carreras were recently involved in a bust-up that allegedly saw the German defender “slapping” his colleague.
Midfielder Dani Ceballos is also reported to have a broken relationship with head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, leaving the atmosphere at the club described as “very tense”.
Arbeloa is expected to address the situation before the trip to the Camp Nou, where Madrid could also be boosted by Mbappe’s return from a hamstring injury.
Both Valverde and Tchouameni are currently available for selection, although any internal punishment could yet change that.
