Real Madrid pair Valverde, Tchouameni involved in training-ground fight

Tensions spilled over at Real Madrid training on Thursday as midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni were involved in a physical altercation that left Valverde requiring stitches for a cut above his eyebrow, reported Xinhua.

The club has not commented, but several Spanish media publications and radio stations reported the incident.

Reports said the pair had already clashed during Wednesday's training session, when teammates intervened before the situation escalated. The disagreement reportedly continued in the dressing room afterward.

The situation worsened on Thursday following what was described as a tense session, with the two players exchanging blows. Valverde sustained a cut and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa accompanied Valverde to the medical facility, where the midfielder, one of the team's captains, received stitches.

Real Madrid has reportedly opened disciplinary proceedings against both players. The incident comes just days before Sunday's Clasico against FC Barcelona, where Barcelona needs only a draw to secure the La Liga title. Both players could face exclusion from the squad.

The altercation follows recent reports of dressing-room unrest after a difficult season and comes two days after defender Alvaro Carreras acknowledged a separate "minor, isolated" incident involving a teammate.