Real Madrid have been plunged into fresh turmoil after midfielder Federico Valverde was taken to hospital with a head injury following a reported dressing room altercation with teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni, just days before their decisive El Clásico clash with Barcelona.
The Uruguayan international has since denied claims that the confrontation turned physical, insisting instead that his injury was accidental and caused during an emotional argument inside the dressing room.
Valverde, 27, is now expected to miss Sunday’s crucial match after being diagnosed with a cranioencephalic trauma, a form of concussion, which will keep him out for up to two weeks under medical supervision.
“Valverde is at home in good condition and will have to remain at rest for 10 to 14 days, as indicated by medical protocols,” Real Madrid confirmed in an official statement.
Reports in Spain suggest the incident occurred during a tense exchange between the two midfielders on Thursday morning, prompting concern within the club hierarchy and the opening of internal disciplinary proceedings involving both players.
Valverde, however, strongly rejected suggestions that the clash involved violence between teammates.
“At no point did my team-mate hit me, and I didn’t hit him either,” he said in a statement posted on Instagram. “I accidentally hit a table during an argument, which caused the injury.”
The midfielder admitted that frustration over Real Madrid’s difficult season contributed to the heated exchange, describing the atmosphere inside the squad as emotionally charged.
“I feel that my anger and frustration at seeing us struggling at the end of the season pushed me into an argument with a team-mate,” he added.
Valverde also apologised for the incident, stressing his deep commitment to the club while acknowledging the growing tension within the dressing room.
“I’m truly sorry because this situation hurts me. Real Madrid is one of the most important things in my life,” he said.
The timing of the incident could hardly be worse for the Spanish giants, who trail Barcelona by 11 points in La Liga with only four matches remaining. A defeat or even a draw in Sunday’s El Clásico would hand their rivals the league title.
Spanish media have described the situation internally as one of the most serious dressing room incidents in recent club history, with emergency meetings reportedly held involving president Florentino Pérez, coaching staff, and senior players.
The club also confirmed that disciplinary proceedings are ongoing and further updates will follow once internal investigations are concluded.
Tensions within the squad appear to extend beyond the Valverde-Tchouaméni incident, with reports of other disagreements circulating in recent days. Defender Álvaro Carreras recently denied rumours of a separate confrontation, insisting his relationship with teammates remains professional and intact.
Meanwhile, star forward Kylian Mbappé has also faced criticism from sections of supporters following reports of a short personal trip during recovery, adding to the sense of unrest at the club.
With silverware slipping away and internal tensions rising, Real Madrid head into one of the most important fixtures of their season under intense pressure both on and off the pitch.
