News Focus
- Federico Valverde required stitches after hitting his head during a clash with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni
- The incident occurred in the dressing room during training on Thursday following an earlier argument on Wednesday
- Real Madrid are considering selling one of the midfielders this summer along with immediate internal suspensions
- Both players are likely to miss Sunday’s crucial El Clasico against Barcelona at the weekend
- The squad requested Friday training be cancelled to prevent further confrontations, but manager Alvaro Arbeloa refused
Real Madrid face a major crisis just days before their biggest match of the season. A violent fight between two key midfielders has left one player in hospital and could see both stars miss the upcoming clash against Barcelona.
The trouble began on Wednesday when Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni had a heated argument. The conflict exploded during training on Thursday inside the dressing room. When teammates tried to pull the pair apart, Valverde fell and struck his head on a table. The Uruguayan international needed several stitches for his wound.
After receiving medical treatment, Valverde returned to the training complex. General Manager Jose Angel Sanchez called an emergency meeting with the entire squad. According to reports from Sport, the players asked to cancel Friday’s training session. They feared more fights could break out. However, manager Alvaro Arbeloa rejected this request. His team must prepare for the vital weekend fixture against their biggest rivals.
The problems do not end there. Sources tell Diario AS that the club is planning severe punishment. Officials are discussing internal suspensions for both men. The board may also sell either Valverde or Tchouameni during the summer transfer window.
This weekend’s El Clasico now hangs in the balance for both players. The club will likely place them on leave while they investigate the incident. Neither star is expected to feature against Barcelona on Sunday night.
The timing could not be worse for Los Blancos. Tensions have been running high recently. There have been separate bust-ups involving Antonio Rudiger and Alvaro Carreras, plus an incident between Kylian Mbappe and a coach.
Tchouameni has two years remaining on his contract and has been in excellent form this term. Valverde still has three years left on his deal but has shown inconsistent performances despite playing regularly on the right side of midfield.