The atmosphere at Real Madrid is reaching a boiling point just days before one of the biggest matches of the season—El Clásico against Barcelona. Following a heartbreaking Champions League elimination at the hands of Bayern Munich, internal tensions have spilled into the open, threatening the squad's stability as they prepare for the decisive clash.

According to a detailed report by The Athletic, the Merengue dressing room has been rocked by a series of critical incidents in recent weeks. In April, defender Antonio Rüdiger was involved in a heated argument with a teammate. While he later apologized and even organized a team lunch to smooth things over, the underlying tension remains palpable.

The drama doesn't stop there. Kylian Mbappé, the team's star forward, reportedly had a serious falling-out with a member of the coaching staff during training. The source of the conflict? An offside call during a practice match that led Mbappé to hurl insults at the assistant. This incident has raised eyebrows about his conduct both on and off the pitch.

Speaking of off-pitch behavior, Mbappé's recent travels have also drawn criticism. Despite recovering from a thigh injury, the Frenchman took a trip to Italy during his days off, returning to Madrid just before the match against Espanyol. Club staff and representatives of other players have questioned the lack of a firmer stance from the board. In response, Mbappé's camp insists the criticism is overblown and that his recovery is being closely monitored by the medical department.

Meanwhile, head coach Álvaro Arbeloa finds himself in a fragile position. With expectations that he won't be retained for next season, the so-called "end of a cycle" has made it increasingly difficult to maintain control over the squad. Speculation is already swirling about potential replacements, with José Mourinho emerging as Florentino Pérez's preferred candidate. Some even whisper that Toni Kroos could take on a new administrative role.

As if the internal strife weren't enough, Real Madrid are also grappling with fitness concerns heading into El Clásico. Beyond the uncertainty surrounding Mbappé, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is racing against time to return, while full-back Ferland Mendy recently suffered a muscular injury. With Barcelona looming, the pressure is on for Los Blancos to find their footing—both on the pitch and in the locker room.