By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
Real Madrid CF have been plunged deeper into crisis after reports in Spain claimed Federico Valverde is expected to miss this weekend’s El Clásico against FC Barcelona following a violent training-ground altercation with teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni.
Spanish television programme El Chiringuito and newspaper El Mundo reported that Valverde suffered partial memory loss after sustaining a serious head injury during the confrontation at Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex.
According to multiple Spanish reports, tensions between the two midfielders had already been simmering following an earlier disagreement in training before the situation escalated dramatically during Thursday’s session. The confrontation reportedly intensified after Valverde refused to shake Tchouaméni’s hand at the start of training.
The incident allegedly turned physical inside the dressing-room area, where Tchouaméni is reported to have thrown a punch that sent Valverde crashing backward. Reports claim the Uruguayan midfielder struck his forehead on a table as he fell, leaving him bleeding and semi-conscious on the floor before teammates rushed to assist him.
El Chiringuito reported that Valverde temporarily lost memory of certain moments following the blow to his head, while doctors advised him to avoid training and matches for at least one week.
The Guardian also reported that Valverde required stitches after the altercation and was taken to hospital in a wheelchair as Real Madrid officials launched emergency disciplinary proceedings.
The latest controversy has intensified scrutiny on the atmosphere inside the Real Madrid dressing room, where reports of growing divisions and internal disputes have overshadowed the club’s season. Spanish media have described the situation at Valdebebas as being at “maximum alert,” with club executives reportedly holding crisis meetings following the incident.
The timing could hardly be worse for Madrid. Sunday’s El Clásico carries enormous importance, with Barcelona capable of tightening their grip on the La Liga title race. Losing Valverde, one of Madrid’s most influential midfielders, would represent a major blow.
Neither Real Madrid nor the players involved have publicly commented on the reports, though several Spanish outlets claim the club has already opened an internal investigation into the incident.
The clash has also revived memories of Valverde’s previous disciplinary controversies, including his widely reported altercation with Villarreal’s Álex Baena in 2023.
For Madrid, however, the focus now shifts to damage control.
A season already marked by inconsistency, dressing-room unrest and mounting pressure has descended into open chaos just days before the club’s biggest domestic fixture. And unless tensions are quickly contained, the fallout from the Valverde–Tchouaméni bust-up could stretch far beyond El Clásico.