Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has dismissed concerns over a training-ground altercation between midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouameni, insisting such clashes are routine in any elite dressing room. Speaking after a board meeting on Tuesday, the 79-year-old downplayed the incident but expressed frustration that the dispute became public knowledge.
"It's not the first time two players have had a row here," Pérez said at his press conference. "There have been seasons when the players have been constantly arguing. These things happen!" However, his tone shifted when addressing the media leak. "The row between the players was bad, but what's worse is that it's been made public," he stated. "We've had arguments every year, sometimes even several, but it's never been made public before."
The Incident and Its Aftermath
The clash reportedly escalated after Valverde declined to shake Tchouameni's hand during a training session. Tensions mounted throughout the workout, and the Uruguayan midfielder later sustained a head injury requiring hospitalization. He was treated for a deep cut that needed stitches and subsequently sidelined for 10–14 days under club protocol. The injury was confirmed as accidental, with no direct blow from his teammate.
Following an internal investigation, both players were fined €500,000, bringing disciplinary action to a close. Tchouameni issued a public apology, acknowledging that such incidents "are unbecoming of Real Madrid, especially since we are the most talked-about club in the world." He accepted the club's sanction without contesting the punishment. Pérez revealed the club has identified who leaked details to the media, suggesting internal accountability measures are underway.
Pérez framed the leak as the true problem rather than the quarrel itself. "Players can make up after a row, have a coffee, shake hands," he explained. "But a leak like that is terrible." With both players disciplined and tensions reportedly diffused through a crisis dressing-room meeting, Real Madrid looks to move forward from the controversy as the squad prepares for upcoming La Liga and continental fixtures.
