Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Spanish League soccer match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, February 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Tensions within Real Madrid’s dressing room have escalated dramatically ahead of this weekend’s El Clasico against FC Barcelona, with midfielder Federico Valverde officially ruled out of the match after suffering a head injury during an altercation with teammate Aurelien Chouamini in training.The incident occurred during Thursday’s training at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas complex, just days before the decisive meeting with Barcelona, and came in the wake of a previous confrontation between the midfielders during Wednesday’s training.According to ESPN sources, the altercation took place on Thursday at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex, just three days before the club’s crucial encounter with Barcelona.
The incident reportedly followed an earlier confrontation between the midfielders during Wednesday’s training session.
Real Madrid confirmed that Valverde has suffered a head injury
Real Madrid confirmed on Friday that Valverde had been diagnosed with cranial trauma after medical examinations. The club said in a statement: “After the tests conducted today on our player Fede Valverde by Real Madrid’s medical services, he was diagnosed with cranial trauma.
He added: “Valverde is at home in good condition and will need to rest for 10 to 14 days, as indicated in the medical protocols for this diagnosis.”
The injury means that the Uruguayan captain will miss the El Clásico match on Sunday. No injury to Chouamini was reported after the accident involving the French international.
Valverde needed stitches after the altercation
According to one of the sources who spoke to ESPN, the confrontation broke out at the end of training after a training match that included many heavy challenges.The source said Tchouamini initially went to the changing room before Valverde entered shortly afterwards “looking very nervous”, which is where the fight reportedly escalated.Another source told ESPN that Valverde kicked Tchoamini during training before the two exchanged insults, and Tchoamini then allegedly hit Valverde severely during the confrontation.
The same source claimed that tension between the duo had been present since Xabi Alonso was still at the club.ESPN also reported that Valverde suffered a cut during the incident and later required stitches after being taken to hospital.
Tensions worsened after Wednesday’s altercation
The Spanish newspaper Marca had already reported that the midfielders participated in a heated quarrel during Wednesday’s session after a training error.According to the report, tensions continued until Thursday, with the situation described internally as “much worse” than the original incident.Marca also claimed that Valverde refused to shake Chouamini’s hand upon his return to training after the previous encounter, contributing to what was described as a deteriorating atmosphere within the team.Other teammates reportedly intervened during Thursday’s clash before the situation escalated further.
Alvaro Arbeloa He reportedly held an emergency meeting
Following the incident, coach Alvaro Arbeloa reportedly called an emergency crisis meeting in an attempt to calm tensions within the dressing room.This incident comes amid increasing scrutiny surrounding the atmosphere within the Real Madrid team under the leadership of coach Alvaro Arbeloa.Spanish reports this week claimed that several players are barely speaking to each other, while six squad members are reported to have no direct dealings with Arbeloa.The atmosphere around the club was already tense following criticism directed at Kylian Mbappe following his short trip to Sardinia while recovering from a muscle problem in his left leg.
Mbappé also remains in the spotlight
Mbappe was photographed last weekend on a yacht in Sardinia alongside his girlfriend Esther Exposito as he recovered from injury.The French striker returned to training on Monday, but the timing of the trip is said to have frustrated parts of the squad and fans.Spanish reports claimed there was a “lack of understanding” among teammates regarding the holiday, while an online petition calling for Mbappe to leave the club reportedly gained momentum earlier this week.Mbappe also issued a statement through his spokesman in which he insisted that the criticism directed at him “does not correspond to reality and the work that Kylian does every day for the benefit of the team.”The France captain has already faced criticism this season over alleged “individualism” within the dressing room, and was also reported to have been involved in a heated confrontation with one of Arbeloa’s assistants during training.
Additionally, he attracted attention after he reportedly liked and then unliked a social media post calling on Jose Mourinho to return to Madrid and replace Arbeloa at the end of the season.Hours after Thursday’s reported altercation between Valverde and Chouamini, footage also emerged showing Mbappe leaving Valdebebas’ complex smiling and laughing while driving away from training.
Clásico pressure continues to increase
The timing of the reported events adds further pressure ahead of the final Clásico of the season.Barcelona currently occupies second place, 11 points behind Real Madrid, in the Spanish League table, as Madrid’s recent victory over Espanyol delayed Barcelona’s title celebrations.Real Madrid’s defeat this weekend could see Barcelona officially confirmed as league champions when the two rivals meet at Camp Nou on Sunday.
