The Real Madrid dressing room is in turmoil just days before one of the biggest matches of the season. According to multiple reports, Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni were involved in a physical altercation during training, leaving Valverde with a cut on his face that required hospital treatment and stitches.
Club officials have already opened disciplinary proceedings against both players, and their participation in Sunday's El Clásico against Barcelona is now in serious doubt. Journalist Abraham Romero of El Mundo reports that Valverde will almost certainly miss the match after suffering a blow to the head during the incident. The midfielder was reportedly dizzy and had to be taken to the hospital in a wheelchair.
The situation is even more concerning than initially thought. Edu Aguirre of El Chiringuito TV adds that Valverde briefly lost consciousness and experienced temporary memory loss immediately after the knock. He underwent a CT scan as a precaution. Doctors have now recommended that Valverde avoid training or playing for at least one week, ruling him out of the Clásico regardless of any club sanctions.
For Tchouameni, the outlook is equally grim. The French midfielder is also unlikely to feature against Barcelona, with Real Madrid expected to hand down strict punishments to both players for the altercation that took place at their Valdebebas training ground.
This is a massive blow for Real Madrid, who now face their arch-rivals without two key midfielders. With the Clásico just days away, manager Carlo Ancelotti will have to quickly reshuffle his plans as the club deals with both the disciplinary fallout and the medical concerns surrounding Valverde.
