Real Madrid in the biggest crisis ever: The largest petition in the world to expel Mbappé, and players in confrontations – what is happening in that locker room?

Real Madrid is once again at the center of a storm, and this time the internal crisis threatens to explode during the classic against Barcelona. Intense conflicts in the locker room, heated discussions during training, and a serious injury to one of the key players cast dark clouds over the Spanish team, which seemed unbeatable. The truth is that, just days before El Clásico, the atmosphere in Valdebebas is one of pure tension and uncertainty.

It all started with an explosive incident between two pillars of the midfield: Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde. According to reports from sources close to the club, the argument between the two escalated quickly and culminated in violence within the locker room. Valverde ended up in the hospital due to a head injury that required stitches, a situation that forced Real Madrid to open disciplinary proceedings against both players. The club’s management, led by Florentino Pérez, called an emergency meeting to try to extinguish the fire before the crucial clash against the Catalans.

But what really happened between Tchouameni and Valverde? Sources indicate that the altercation began with an accusation from Valverde that the Frenchman was responsible for leaking information about the fight to the press. Vehemently denying this, Tchouameni refused to shake hands with his teammate, and the tension only escalated, resulting in hard tackles during training. At the height of the conflict, according to the newspaper AS, Tchouameni allegedly struck Valverde, who fell and suffered a head injury, necessitating a trip to the hospital.

Despite the chaotic scene, Valverde publicly denied any physical altercation. In a statement on Instagram, the Uruguayan midfielder explained that the cut on his forehead was caused by an accident with a table and not by aggression. “At no point did my teammate hit me, nor did I hit him. I understand that it might be easier to believe in a fight, but that did not happen,” he stated, adding that “the fatigue from competition and frustration make everything seem bigger than it is.” However, Real Madrid confirmed that a disciplinary process has been initiated and announced that Valverde will miss the next El Clásico match, having been diagnosed with a concussion and requiring rest for 10 to 14 days.

This is not the first sign of disorder behind the scenes at the Spanish giant. For weeks, rumors have pointed to friction between players and even with the coaching staff. Defender Antonio Rudiger had a heated argument with Álvaro Carreras, which, although resolved, left marks on the atmosphere. Kylian Mbappé, the star of the attack, also featured in a controversial episode when he confronted a member of the coaching staff after an offside decision during training, shortly before the 1-1 draw against Betis. The Frenchman, currently sidelined with a calf injury, generated even more controversy by being photographed on holiday in Sardinia while Real Madrid was playing against Espanyol, raising doubts about his commitment.

The controversy surrounding Mbappé intensified with an online petition calling for his departure, which has already gathered millions of signatures. Many fans are frustrated by the perception that the forward is preserving himself for this summer’s World Cup, even though the club has assured that Mbappé is fully dedicated to his recovery and daily work to return to his best level.

Real Madrid is currently experiencing a very delicate moment, where the stars shine off the pitch for the wrong reasons and the cohesion of the group is seriously threatened. With just a few days to go before the most anticipated clash in world football, El Clásico, the question remains: will the internal conflicts cost the Merengues dearly? The answer could determine the course of the season and possibly the future of several key figures within the club. Stay tuned, as what is happening in Madrid promises not to remain hidden for much longer.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.