Tensions at Real Madrid escalated just one day after Spanish media reported that vice-captain Valverde and Tchouameni nearly came to blows during a training session. According to Marca, the conflict between the two midfielders remained unresolved, intensifying further during the subsequent practice.

Valverde refused to shake Tchouameni's hand when players gathered on the morning of 7/5, Madrid time. The hostile atmosphere persisted throughout the training session, before matters spiraled out of control in the locker room.

Tchouameni (right) and Valverde (left) in a serious altercation during Real's training session at Valdebebas on the morning of 7/5/2026. *Marca*

This marks one of the most serious incidents to occur at Valdebebas. Several Real players intervened as Valverde and Tchouameni pushed and exchanged words. During the chaos, the Uruguayan midfielder suffered a severe facial injury, resulting in a laceration that required hospital treatment.

Valverde's injury did not result directly from a punch by Tchouameni, but rather occurred during the intense physical contact between the two. Nevertheless, the incident caused significant concern among Real's management.

The incident stemmed from Valverde's aggressive tackles during practice, leading to Tchouameni losing his composure. The conflict between the two players had been simmering for some time, as Real's locker room grew increasingly divided under performance pressure.

Immediately after the incident, CEO Jose Angel Sanchez arrived at the training center to hold an urgent meeting with the entire squad. No player left Valdebebas before the meeting concluded. However, after the session, media captured star Kylian Mbappe driving away with strange, loud laughter.

Real has initiated disciplinary proceedings against both Valverde and Tchouameni to prevent further escalation of tensions. The club's management is concerned that the current negative atmosphere could directly impact the decisive phase of the season.

Real is experiencing its most challenging period in recent years. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa's team faces the risk of ending the season without a trophy and lags significantly behind Barca in the La Liga title race. This weekend's El Clasico could determine the fate of the Bernabeu club's season.

The Valverde-Tchouameni incident is merely the latest in a series of internal issues plaguing Real recently. Previously, Antonio Rudiger had a heated argument with defender Alvaro Carreras during a training session. The German center-back was also accused of slapping a coaching staff member while losing emotional control. Carreras later confirmed the altercation with his teammate, though the matter was eventually resolved.

Kylian Mbappe was also named in a series of internal scandals for insulting an assistant coach during a practice match over an offside call. These successive incidents have created an unprecedented chaotic image for Real's locker room under Arbeloa's tenure.

Mental fatigue is pervasive within the Real squad, as performance pressure and personal conflicts increasingly drive the team into instability. Several groups of players barely communicate, while relations between many key figures and the coaching staff are also severely strained.

Real has not yet commented officially on the incident involving Valverde and Tchouameni.

Hoang An (according to Marca)