Real Madrid in crisis: Tensions in the locker room before El Clásico.

Real Madrid is experiencing an unprecedented internal crisis that threatens to explode just days before El Clásico! The Merengue team, which faces Espanyol tonight at the RCDE Stadium, remains in Catalonia to prepare for the decisive clash against Barcelona at Camp Nou this coming weekend. Although the match is already irrelevant for the title, for Real Madrid it is a matter of honor to restore their image after a season in La Liga marked by disappointing performances and a clear lack of cohesion in the dressing room.

According to exclusive sources from the newspaper El Mundo, the atmosphere in Valdebebas is on the brink of collapse, with explosive tensions between Arbeloa, the former player who now holds a position in the technical structure, and several players from the squad. The situation is so serious that conflicts that should remain only in training have come to light, threatening the stability of the team.

Dani Carvajal, currently sidelined due to a fracture in a toe, had a direct confrontation with Arbeloa as he feels marginalized and deprived of opportunities on the pitch. This disagreement takes on dramatic proportions considering that Carvajal is set to leave the club this summer and that his aspirations to participate in the World Cup have been practically dashed. The frustration of the right-back is the visible face of a problem that affects several players.

Discipline in the locker room is compromised. Forward Raul Asencio has been punished with several days on the bench after a response deemed disrespectful by the coach, while Dani Ceballos has been completely excluded from the squad following a new confrontation episode. For his part, Álvaro Carreras has been repeatedly overlooked by Arbeloa due to an attitude that he considers negative and harmful to the group.

Another point deepening the crisis is Arbeloa’s alleged preference for constantly praising the club’s established stars in press conferences, while homegrown players feel ignored and undervalued, fueling a dangerous internal division.

To make matters worse, Kylian Mbappé’s behavior has caused controversy among his teammates. Although the muscle injury is considered minor, the Frenchman’s trips outside Spain during his recovery period have raised suspicion. His trip to Paris, although authorized and accompanied by club physiotherapists, was accepted, but Mbappé’s more recent movements have raised doubts about his commitment and professionalism.

This set of internal conflicts, direct confrontations, and lack of unity in the locker room raises a huge alarm about the state of Real Madrid just days before one of the most important matches of the season. The team, which is already facing evident difficulties on the field, now sees its emotional and mental stability put to the test at a time when unity is more necessary than ever.

What is at stake is not just a game, but the near future of a club that seems to be on the brink of a deep crisis, where internal rivalries could prove even more costly than defeats on the pitch. Real Madrid urgently needs to find a way to reconcile and restore trust between players and coaching staff, or risk watching the season completely unravel. The tension in the dressing room is real, and the internal strife could become the biggest adversary for the Merengues in the classic match against Barcelona.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.