What was meant to be a week centered entirely on the high-stakes El Clasico against Barcelona has instead been overshadowed by reports of conflict and crisis within Real Madrid’s dressing room.
A defeat on Sunday against Barcelona would hand their fiercest rivals a second consecutive La Liga title. Yet while Barcelona—who were themselves in turmoil not long ago—continue to thrive, Real Madrid find themselves in disarray, plagued by fan discontent, managerial uncertainty, and even allegations of player clashes.
BBC Sport examines the events of the past week and why they have sparked fresh concerns about a season that has unraveled both on and off the pitch.
**Altercations, a Petition, and Disciplinary Issues**
Reports first emerged in Spanish media on Wednesday that midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni had engaged in a heated verbal exchange during training. Valverde later confirmed the incident, and sources say the situation escalated on Thursday at Real’s training ground.
According to sources who spoke to BBC Sport, the argument continued after training and culminated in Valverde being taken to hospital with a head injury following a dressing room altercation. Valverde later denied reports that the pair had physically fought, insisting the injury occurred when he “accidentally hit a table” during the confrontation.
In a lengthy statement released on Thursday evening, the Uruguay midfielder said he suffered “a small cut on my forehead that required a routine visit to the hospital” and dismissed suggestions that either player had struck the other.
An emergency meeting was later called, involving club president Florentino Perez, members of the coaching staff, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, and captain Dani Carvajal. Real Madrid subsequently issued two statements.
The first confirmed that disciplinary proceedings had been opened against both players, adding that the club would provide updates “once the corresponding internal procedures have been completed.” The second was a medical update confirming that Valverde had suffered a concussion and would need to rest for 10 to 14 days, ruling him out of Sunday’s El Clasico.
“Clearly, someone here is spreading rumors, and with a season without titles, where Real Madrid is always under scrutiny, everything gets blown out of proportion,” Valverde said.
On Friday, Real Madrid announced that the pair had “apologized to each other, the club, and their teammates” and were each fined 500,000 euros (£432,037.50).
**Dressing Room Divides**
Defender Alvaro Carreras also responded this week to reports linking him with a separate disagreement involving teammate Antonio Rudiger. Carreras did not name the player directly but wrote on Instagram: “In recent days, certain insinuations and comments about me have emerged that do not correspond to reality.
“Regarding the incident with a colleague, it is a specific matter of no relevance that has already been settled. My relationship with the whole team is very good.”
**’Mbappe Out’ Petition**
Reports of tension between specific players have followed broader claims of unrest within the dressing room. There has been increased scrutiny on superstar forward Kylian Mbappe.
The France striker has scored 85 goals in 100 appearances since arriving at the Bernabeu but found himself at the center of controversy when he traveled to Sardinia during his recovery from a hamstring injury suffered against Real Betis. While the trip was approved by the club, photos of the forward on a yacht circulated online during Real’s match against Espanyol, drawing criticism from supporters already frustrated by the situation.
