The Real Madrid dressing room is usually buzzing with title talk in May, but this week, the spotlight at Valdebebas has shifted for all the wrong reasons. After days of leaked stories about internal tensions, things boiled over on Thursday when teammates Fede Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni clashed during training.

Tchouameni showed up for training as usual on Friday, but the club has launched a disciplinary investigation into both players. Valverde, who suffered a head injury in the altercation, has been sidelined for two weeks. The Uruguayan insists he wasn't hit and didn't hit anyone, but that account clashes with nearly every other report on the incident.

In many ways, Valverde has come out of this looking worse. Beyond his injury, his official statement drew heavy criticism for being contradictory. According to Cadena SER, several Real Madrid players believe Valverde crossed a line with Tchouameni, repeatedly accusing him of leaking stories to the press. While no one is justifying Tchouameni's actions, there's far more disappointment directed at Valverde for his behavior.

The Athletic backs up those claims, reporting that Valverde has "been like this all year" and that his attitude has been "unworthy of a captain," according to multiple sources. The club itself seems more frustrated with the Uruguayan than with his French teammate. Both are expected to face sanctions, but early signs point to a heavier punishment for Valverde.

As vice-captain, Valverde carries added responsibility in the dressing room—and with captain Dani Carvajal injured, he was technically the most senior authority figure present during Thursday's session. That makes his involvement all the more disappointing. With his head injury likely ruling him out for the rest of the season—except maybe the final home game against Athletic Club—Valverde's campaign may have ended on a sour note.