Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has broken his silence following reports of a heated confrontation with teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni during training this week.
In a lengthy statement released on Thursday, Valverde admitted that tensions inside the dressing room had boiled over after a disappointing season for the Spanish giants.
However, he strongly denied reports that the pair physically attacked each other.
“During the argument, I accidentally hit a table, causing a small cut on my forehead that required a routine visit to the hospital,” Valverde explained. “At no point did my teammate hit me, and I didn’t hit him either.”
The Uruguayan midfielder said frustration, fatigue, and the pressure surrounding the club’s difficult campaign contributed to the disagreement.
He also criticised leaks from inside the dressing room, claiming the situation had been exaggerated because of the intense scrutiny surrounding Real Madrid.
The incident reportedly began after a tense exchange during training earlier in the week. Several media reports claimed the atmosphere between the two midfielders worsened over consecutive days before another argument erupted inside the dressing room.
Real Madrid later confirmed that Valverde had been hospitalised following the incident. In an official medical report, the club stated that the midfielder suffered a “cranioencephalic trauma,” a form of head injury, and would need between 10 and 14 days of rest under medical supervision.
The club also announced that disciplinary proceedings had been opened against both Valverde and Tchouaméni following the training-ground incident.
Valverde expressed regret over the situation and apologised for allowing emotions to get the better of him.
“I’m truly sorry because this situation hurts me,” he said. “Real Madrid is one of the most important things in my life, and I can’t be indifferent to what we are going through.”
The midfielder is now expected to miss Real Madrid’s upcoming El Clásico clash against Barcelona as the club continues to deal with growing tension inside the squad after a trophyless season.
