Real Madrid announce Valverde's absence from El Clásico after clash with Tchouameni

Real Madrid have announced that midfielder Federico Valverde  will be out for 10 to 14 days, after suffering a concussion and a deep wound in the forehead that required him to be taken to hospital, following a violent altercation with his teammate Aurelian Tchouameni during a training session that later spread to the dressing room.

The medical report confirmed that Valverde's condition requires complete rest for nearly two weeks according to the protocols adopted for the treatment of concussions, which means that he will be officially absent from the expected Clásico against Barcelona on Sunday (May 10th), in a new blow to the team that is experiencing increasing pressure after its exit from the Champions League and the approach of the LaLiga decision in favor of its traditional rival. The context of the match can be followed via the Clásico 2026.

Disciplinary investigation against Tchouameni

In parallel with the medical announcement, the club opened an internal disciplinary investigation involving Valverde and Tchouameni, amid reports of the possibility of imposing financial and administrative penalties that may reach suspension and deduction of part of salaries, as part of the club's discipline policy in such incidents.

"Following the events of this morning's training, it has been decided to open a disciplinary investigation into Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni," Real Madrid said in a statement on its official website, adding: "The club will announce the results of this investigation in due course and as soon as it is completed."

In an attempt to contain the crisis, Valverde issued a statement denying that there had been an "exchange of punches", confirming that his injury occurred "accidentally" as a result of hitting a table during a heated argument, but Spanish press sources described it as a violent physical altercation, further complicating the situation inside the dressing room at a sensitive stage of the season.

These developments come at a time when Real Madrid are facing great sporting and media pressure, amid questions about the team's ability to maintain its internal stability ahead of the crucial dates of the season, in light of the decline in results and increasing tension between the players.