Real Madrid Dressing Room Brawling!
Madrid, May 9 (EFE).-
Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa on Saturday described leaks from the club’s dressing room as “a betrayal” amid reports of growing tensions between midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni following a series of altercations.
“Having things that happen in the dressing room leaked is a betrayal of Real Madrid, and it saddens me greatly,” Arbeloa told a press conference, adding that he did not want to accuse anyone of being behind the leaks.
“I’m not accusing the players or anyone else because I can’t. There are many people around the Real Madrid dressing room, and I’m not here to accuse anyone. I try to set an example by keeping my private conversations between the players and myself.”
The comments came after reports of a confrontation between Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, which allegedly led Real Madrid to open disciplinary proceedings against both players and impose fines of 500,000 euros each.
According to reports, tensions escalated following two altercations within 24 hours.
An argument that began during Wednesday’s training session reportedly intensified the following day, culminating in a heated confrontation in the dressing room at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex.
EFE reported that during the altercation, Valverde, one of Real Madrid’s vice-captains, slipped and struck a central table in the main dressing room at the club’s sports complex in Valdebebas.
The midfielder was taken to hospital under concussion protocol and reportedly received stitches to a head injury before returning home, where he is expected to rest for between 10 and 14 days, depending on his recovery.
Arbeloa said he had witnessed similar incidents during his own playing career.
“I once had a teammate who picked up a golf club and hit another player with it. The worst part is that what happens in the Real Madrid dressing room should stay in the dressing room. These situations do not represent Real Madrid. I’m not justifying what happened, but these things happen everywhere.”
The coach also expressed strong support for his squad and captains, praising the character of the players despite a difficult season.
“It’s a dressing room worthy of Real Madrid. It’s not easy to go through two seasons without trophies and everything that has happened. I see a healthy dressing room ready to win again,” he said.
“It’s a younger dressing room compared to the one I was part of seven years ago, and all these experiences will help the players grow and better understand what this badge means,” he added.
Arbeloa declined to discuss his own future at the club, insisting his sole focus is Sunday’s clásico against FC Barcelona.
“My focus is on winning tomorrow’s match against Barcelona, and that’s where I’m putting all my energy,” he said.
He also defended the leadership of Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez.
“There’s no one more qualified than our president to turn this situation around. He is the president with the most titles in the club’s history. I remember what the club was like before he arrived, and he brought it to where it deserves to be,” Arbeloa said. EFE
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