Valverde Hospitalised After Dressing-Room Row at Real Madrid

Federico Valverde says he was taken to hospital after a dressing-room argument with teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni, but insists they did not come to blows. The Real Madrid midfielder has been ruled out of Sunday’s match against Barcelona after suffering a head injury in the incident.

Valverde said he injured himself when he “accidentally hit a table” and described the wound as a small cut on his forehead that needed a routine hospital visit. Real Madrid have confirmed he has been diagnosed with cranioencephalic trauma and will need 10 to 14 days of rest.

The club has opened disciplinary proceedings against both players, and Thursday’s incident came at a terrible time for Madrid, just three days before a crucial El Clásico. Anything other than a win on Sunday would hand Barcelona the league title with three games still to play.

In a long statement, Valverde admitted he was angry and frustrated by the club’s situation, saying the argument came from the strain of a difficult end to the season. He apologised and stressed that his commitment to the team remains absolute, adding that any disagreements off the pitch disappear once they step onto it.

He also pushed back against suggestions the row involved physical violence. According to Valverde, the clash became exaggerated by rumours and speculation, with “senseless fight” stories spreading around the club. He said such disputes are usually handled internally and should not have become public.

The incident has added to a tense atmosphere at Real Madrid, who are already having a disappointing season. They sit 11 points behind Barcelona in La Liga and have also gone out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage. Valverde himself described the campaign as another wasted year.

Reports in Spain say the row has been viewed internally as one of the most serious disturbances at Valdebebas in years. It has also fuelled wider talk of tension in the dressing room, with other players recently denying separate rumours of arguments.

Real are now facing a pivotal few days, both on and off the pitch. Their season may effectively be decided at the Nou Camp, but the fallout from this dressing-room row is already creating more pressure around a club that can ill afford further disruption.