Real Madrid's preparations for the upcoming Clasico have been severely disrupted by a serious internal conflict. Midfielder Federico Valverde was taken to hospital on Thursday after a physical altercation with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni during a training session at the Valdebebas complex.
The confrontation was not an isolated incident. Reports indicate the two players were involved in a bust-up at the end of Wednesday's training, and tensions boiled over again the following day. Valverde was transported to a medical facility with a suspected head injury but was discharged relatively quickly and returned to the club's training ground.
The severity of the situation prompted an immediate response from the club's leadership. Real Madrid executives, including president Florentino Perez, convened a crisis meeting with the players to address the altercations. The club has confirmed that both Valverde and Tchouameni will face disciplinary action for their roles in the fights.
This internal strife comes at a critical juncture in the season. Real Madrid is set to face Barcelona in the Clasico on Sunday at Camp Nou. Barcelona holds a commanding 11-point lead at the top of LaLiga and requires only a single point from the match to officially clinch the league title, adding immense pressure to an already fraught situation for Los Blancos.
Compounding the team's difficulties is the ongoing controversy surrounding star forward Kylian Mbappe. While Mbappe is recovering from a hamstring strain and is expected to be available for the Clasico, his recent actions have drawn significant fan ire. The French international flew to Sardinia for a private vacation with his girlfriend last week while rehabilitating his injury, returning to Madrid just minutes before the team's match against Espanyol.
This perceived lack of commitment has fueled unprecedented fan backlash. An online petition demanding the club sell Mbappe has reportedly garnered over 30 million signatures, a figure that, if accurate, would constitute a world record. The frustration is amplified by Real Madrid's trophyless spell since Mbappe's arrival on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain two summers ago, especially as his former club went on to win the Champions League the season after his departure.
Mbappe's representatives have stated he had club permission for the trip and is following his prescribed rehabilitation program. Nevertheless, the combination of the training ground fight, the fan revolt against a key player, and the looming title-deciding Clasico has plunged Real Madrid into a period of significant crisis.
Based on reporting from SkySports | News.