Real Madrid’s preparations for Sunday’s decisive El Clasico against Barcelona have been overshadowed by a training-ground dispute involving Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, with the club opening disciplinary proceedings against both midfielders. Valverde, 27, will miss the match at the Nou Camp after sustaining what the club described as cranioencephalic trauma, a form of head injury. Real Madrid said the Uruguay international is recovering at home and must rest for 10 to 14 days in line with medical protocols. The club confirmed disciplinary proceedings after “incidents” during Thursday’s first-team session, adding that any resolution would be announced after internal procedures are completed.
The incident came at a damaging moment for Madrid, who trail Barcelona by 11 points with four league matches remaining. Anything other than a win on Sunday would allow Barcelona to seal a second straight La Liga title with three games to spare. Madrid’s season has already been marked by disappointment, including a Champions League quarter-final exit and growing frustration around the squad.
Valverde attempted to calm speculation in a statement on Instagram, denying reports that he and Tchouameni exchanged blows. He said the injury happened when he “accidentally hit a table” during an argument, causing a small cut on his forehead that required hospital treatment. He acknowledged there had been tension with his team-mate but insisted neither player struck the other. The Uruguayan apologized for the confrontation, saying fatigue, frustration and the pressure of a difficult season had contributed to the dispute. He also criticized leaks from inside the dressing room, arguing that disagreements between team-mates are usually resolved privately and should not be sensationalized.
Spanish reports said senior club officials held emergency talks after the incident, which some media described as one of the most serious episodes at Madrid’s Valdebebas training base in recent years. The controversy follows separate reports of dressing-room tension involving other players, including Alvaro Carreras and Antonio Rudiger, although Carreras has said that matter was minor and already settled.
