Chaos at Real Madrid, just before the Clásico against FC Barcelona: the players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni clashed. This has consequences – not just for Valverde, who is out with a traumatic brain injury.
At least the end of the story is clear. On Thursday evening, Real Madrid reported that Valverde had been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. He has to “rest for 10 to 14 days” – so Real Madrid will have to do without vice-captain Valverde in the Clásico against Barcelona on Sunday evening.
The “Royals” also announced that “Events” during training in the morning had led to the club “disciplinary procedures” initiated against Valverde and Tchouaméni. It goes on to say: “The association will inform about the decisions of both procedures in due course.”
Physical Controversy? No, says Valverde
There is of course a lot of speculation in the Spanish media about what exactly happened. According to consistent media reports, both players are said to have argued on Wednesday. On Thursday they clashed again. According to a report by “Marca”, the trigger was that Valverde refused to shake Tchouaméni’s hand at the beginning of a training session. The public will probably never know whether this actually led to the argument that resulted in Valverde having to go to the hospital for examinations.
At least the public now knows Valverde’s point of view. He outlined them on Instagram. In it he admits disputes with Tchouaméni. During one “Discussion” be him “Accidentally bumped into a table” and have one “small cut on forehead” drawn in. This made a visit to the hospital necessary.
However, there were no physical altercations reported by the Spanish media. Valverde writes: “At no time did my colleague hit me, nor did I hit him.”
“Barca” could become champions – in the Clásico against Madrid
The Uruguayan Valverde, 27, has been playing for Real since 2018, four years later the Frenchman Tchouaméni, 26, moved to Madrid. Together they have won several titles side by side in the “Royal” midfield. Nobody will join them this season: the club was eliminated from the cup early. In the Champions League, Real failed in the quarter-finals against FC Bayern. And in La Liga, FC Barcelona overtook Madrid. A draw in the Clásico on Sunday evening – and “Barca” would have defended the championship title.