Federico Valverde was taken to hospital Thursday after an alleged physical altercation with Real Madrid teammate Aurelien Tchouameni following a training session at the club's Valdebebas base, the club confirmed, with a crucial El Clasico against Barcelona now just days away.
Real Madrid said in a statement it had opened disciplinary proceedings against both players "following the incidents that occurred this morning during the first team's training session." The club confirmed Valverde had been diagnosed with cranioencephalic trauma, a type of concussion, and said he would need to rest for 10 to 14 days under medical protocols.
"Valverde is at home in good condition and will have to remain at rest for 10 to 14 days, as indicated by the medical protocols for this diagnosis," the club's statement read.
Sources told BBC Sport that Valverde was knocked unconscious during the altercation. ESPN reported he needed stitches. Spanish media have described the incident internally as "the most serious ever experienced in Valdebebas," according to multiple members of staff.
Tensions between the two players reportedly began during Wednesday's training session. An argument developed but did not escalate at that point. Thursday's confrontation is widely reported to have occurred after training when Tchouameni, the France international, allegedly approached Valverde and a verbal dispute turned physical. The Uruguayan midfielder was knocked unconscious during what followed.
An emergency meeting was called Thursday evening involving Real president Florentino Perez, his staff, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, and club captain Dani Carvajal. The club said it would provide updates "once the corresponding internal procedures have been completed."
The timing could not be worse for Real Madrid. Sunday's El Clasico at the Nou Camp carries enormous stakes: anything other than a win for Real would give Barcelona a second consecutive La Liga title, with three games to spare. Valverde, one of Real's most reliable midfielders, is now ruled out entirely.
The fight between Valverde and Tchouameni is not the only reported dressing room conflict at the club this week. Left-back Alvaro Carreras posted a statement on Instagram earlier denying reports of a separate altercation involving him and defender Antonio Rudiger. Carreras did not name Rudiger directly but wrote: "In recent days, certain insinuations and comments about me have emerged that do not correspond to reality." He added that the matter had already been resolved internally.
Real's disciplinary process for the Valverde-Tchouameni case is ongoing, and the club has not indicated what sanctions, if any, either player will face before or after Sunday's match.
