Inside the 7 crazy moments of the Real Madrid crisis that led to emergency meeting and Valverde hospitalisation
Following the explosive altercation between Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde, SPORTbible has summarised all of the controversy surrounding Real Madrid in recent weeks – and it does not make for pretty reading for the La Liga giants.
With Real Madrid set to face Barcelona this Sunday – with the Catalans able to clinch a third title in four seasons – it’s fair to say the Los Blancos dressing room, and the club in general, is not a happy place.
If Barça avoid defeat in El Clásico, they will be confirmed as champions, although it appears to be lower down the list of Real Madrid’s problems than many would expect.
SPORTbible has summarised all of the chaos that has unfolded at Real Madrid over the past few weeks.
Rüdiger’s altercation with Carreras
Earlier this week, several reports emerged suggesting Antonio Rüdiger had become embroiled in a heated dressing-room exchange with summer signing Álvaro Carreras, with the German allegedly slapping the full-back. Several players were forced to intervene before the centre-back apologised.
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Carreras then released the following statement: “In recent days, certain insinuations and comments have emerged about me that do not reflect reality.
My commitment to this club and to the coaches I have worked with has been absolute from day one, and it will continue to be so. Since I returned, I have always worked with the utmost professionalism, respect and dedication. I have fought very hard to fulfil my dream of coming back home.
Regarding the incident with a team-mate, it was something that does not usually occur and is not of great relevance; it has now been resolved. My relationship with the whole team is very good. Hala Madrid!”
Mbappé’s holiday and training-ground row
Despite registering 41 goals and 41 assists in 41 games this term, many are unhappy with Kylian Mbappé’s recent performances.
While out with a hamstring injury, which he picked up against Betis in April, the forward was granted time off, which he used to go on holiday to Italy with his girlfriend.
Several images emerged of him on a yacht while Real Madrid’s players prepared for their La Liga clash against Espanyol, causing outrage in the Spanish press and the Real dressing room, with several players reportedly voicing their concerns.
Fans also took it upon themselves to launch a petition titled ‘Mbappé Out’, with almost 47 million signatures at the time of writing.
Meanwhile, head coach Álvaro Arbeloa appeared to defend the player when asked about the trip to Sardinia.
“In his free time, Mbappé can do whatever he wants, like any other player,” he said, despite suggestions that the trip caused ‘confusion and unease’ at the club.
Earlier this week, Mbappé’s representatives released a statement to the media, which read: “Part of the criticism is based on an over-interpretation of elements related to a recovery period strictly supervised by the club, without reflecting the reality of Kylian’s commitment and the work he puts in every day for the team.”
It has also been reported that Mbappé was involved in a dispute with a member of Real Madrid’s coaching staff before the Betis match in April, with sources, according to The Athletic, saying the Frenchman spoke angrily and insulted a member of the coaching staff – although the former PSG man appeared to have avoided punishment.
Valverde–Tchouaméni fight and fallout
On Thursday, reports surfaced suggesting that Tchouaméni and Valverde had become involved in a feud, with Real Madrid later releasing a statement confirming the incident.
It was initially reported on Wednesday that the pair had clashed in training due to a bad tackle, before a more serious altercation took place the following day.
The incident resulted in Valverde ending up in hospital due to a “small cut” on his forehead, reportedly caused when he “accidentally hit a table”.
According to sources, Valverde shook hands with everyone apart from Tchouaméni after arriving at training on Thursday.
The Frenchman then put in several strong challenges. The session was then split into two groups; however, the pair stayed together, with Valverde supposedly suggesting his team-mate was lucky to be on his side.
Once the players returned to the dressing room, Tchouaméni asked Valverde to come over to him, but the South American refused and instead insulted him. The French international then struck his team-mate before a tussle ensued, resulting in Valverde hitting his head and losing consciousness.
Real call emergency meeting
Following the incident, every squad member was involved in an ‘urgent emergency meeting’, before club president Florentino Pérez, Arbeloa and club captain Dani Carvajal also engaged in discussions.
Real Madrid have opened disciplinary proceedings against both players, with the Uruguayan releasing a statement giving his side of the story.
In a statement on Instagram, Valverde said: “At no point did my team-mate hit me, and I didn’t hit him either. I understand it’s easier to believe we came to blows or that it was intentional, but that didn’t happen.
“I feel that my anger about the situation, and my frustration at seeing some of us struggling to get through the end of the season on our last legs while giving it our all, pushed me to the point of arguing with a team-mate.
“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry, because this situation hurts me. This moment we’re going through is painful. Real Madrid is one of the most important things in my life, and I can’t just turn a blind eye to it.
“The result is a build-up of things that culminated in a senseless fight, damaging my image and leaving room for doubt – for people to fabricate stories, slander me, and sensationalise an incident.
“I have no doubt that any disagreements we might have off the field cease to exist on it, and if I have to defend the team inside a stadium, I’ll be the first to do so.”
Real Madrid also issued the following statement: “Real Madrid C.F. announced that, following the incidents that occurred this morning during the first team’s training session, it has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni.
“The club will provide updates on the resolutions of both proceedings once the corresponding internal procedures have been completed.”
Valverde is expected to miss Sunday’s clash against Barça due to his injuries, with the player suffering cranioencephalic trauma, a type of concussion.
Real Madrid stars snub Arbeloa and dressing-room mole
Alongside all the aforementioned issues at Real, a report from Marca has suggested that relationships between the players and Arbeloa continue to sour, with the outlet claiming six players are refusing to speak to the boss.
Despite Valverde allegedly suggesting Tchouaméni is leaking information to the press, AS reports that the Frenchman is not a dressing-room mole, although the club’s investigation into how information is readily available to the media continues.
The outlet reports: “At Valdebebas, they can hardly believe the lack of loyalty on display. At times, there was even talk of setting traps in an attempt to stop the self-serving leaks coming from one side and another. Conversations, shoves, slights – all of it has been transcribed, a clear sign that the group was in full decomposition. The squad appears to be pointing in one direction in the hunt for the leaker, but the culprit is not Tchouaméni, however much Valverde believes it. The mole is still being hunted.”
Topics: Real Madrid, La Liga, Football, Kylian Mbappe
Luke Davies