Madrid: Federico Valverde has broken his silence following a hospital visit due to a head injury sustained during an alleged dressing room altercation with Real Madrid team-mate Aurelien Tchouam©ni. Valverde, however, denied that the incident involved any physical confrontation between the two players.
According to Ghana Web, Valverde stated that the injury, which will sideline him for the upcoming crucial match against Barcelona, was the result of an accidental collision with a table. The Uruguayan midfielder described the situation as an argument that led to a "small cut on my forehead," necessitating a routine hospital checkup. Real Madrid, which has initiated disciplinary proceedings against both players, confirmed that Valverde, 27, suffered a cranioencephalic trauma, a form of concussion.
The altercation occurred on Thursday morning, just days before Real Madrid's pivotal title match against Barcelona. The club has announced that Valverde will need to rest at home for 10 to 14 days following medical protocols for his diagnosis.
In a heartfelt Instagram statement, Valverde clarified, "At no point did my team-mate hit me, and I didn't hit him either." He expressed regret over the incident, attributing it to the mounting pressure at the season's end. "Real Madrid is one of the most important things in my life, and I can't just turn a blind eye to it," Valverde wrote, lamenting the negative impact on his image and the spread of sensationalized stories.
Valverde also acknowledged a subsequent disagreement with Tchouam©ni earlier in the week, emphasizing that such incidents are common in locker rooms and typically resolved internally. He criticized the leak of such information, especially during a challenging season for Real Madrid.
An emergency meeting was convened on Thursday evening, involving club president Florentino Perez, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, and captain Dani Carvajal. Real Madrid, 11 points behind Barcelona in La Liga with four games remaining, faces the possibility of another titleless season after their Champions League exit in the quarter-finals. Sunday's El Cl¡sico at the Nou Camp is pivotal, as anything less than a win for Real would secure Barcelona's second consecutive La Liga title.
The internal strife extends beyond Valverde and Tchouam©ni, as reports of other tensions within the Real Madrid dressing room have emerged. Alvaro Carreras recently addressed rumors of an altercation with Antonio Rudiger, dismissing them as unfounded. Carreras reaffirmed his dedication to the club, emphasizing his professionalism and commitment.
Amidst these internal challenges, Real Madrid supporters have expressed their dissatisfaction with star striker Kylian Mbappe, following his recent trip to Sardinia with his girlfriend during recovery time.
The club has pledged to update the public on the outcomes of the disciplinary proceedings related to the Valverde-Tchouam©ni incident once internal processes are concluded.