'LEAKED' AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI DM'S RELEASED AFTER BURST-UP WITH FEDERICO VALVERDE

The drama between Real Madrid teammates Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde has taken another twist.

Real Madrid released a statement on Thursday evening confirming they have opened disciplinary action against both midfielders following the training ground incident that left Valverde with a head injury.

The Spanish giants said: "Real Madrid CF announces that, following the events that took place this morning in the first team training session, it has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against our players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni. The club will announce the resolutions of both cases in due course, once the corresponding internal procedures have been completed."

In a separate statement, Real Madrid revealed Valverde has been “diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury” following the altercation with Tchouameni. However, they added Valverde is “at home in good condition” and “must remain at rest between 10 and 14 days” as he recovers.

The diagnosis means Valverde, one of Real Madrid’s standout performers in an otherwise disappointing campaign for Los Blancos, will miss Sunday’s crucial El Clasico against Barcelona away at Camp Nou.

Barcelona will secure the 2025-26 La Liga title with a win or draw this weekend.

Federico Valverde Released Statement

Federico Valverde

The injured Valverde released a statement via social media, insisting his bust-up with Tchouameni was a “disagreement” rather than a “fight”.

The Uruguay international, who is considered one of the world’s best midfielders, added: “During the argument, I accidentally hit a table, causing a small cut on my forehead that required a routine visit to the hospital.

“At no point did my teammate hit me, and I didn't hit him either, although I understand it's easier for you to believe we came to blows or that it was intentional, but that didn't happen.

“I feel that my anger about the situation, my frustration at seeing some of us struggling to get through the end of the season, giving it our all, pushed me to the point of arguing with a teammate.

“I’m sorry. I'm truly sorry because this situation hurts me, this moment we're going through is painful. Real Madrid is one of the most important things in my life, and I can't be indifferent to it.

“The result is an accumulation of things that culminate in a senseless fight, damaging my image and leaving room for doubt that they'll fabricate stories, slander, and add fuel to the fire of an accident.”

'Leaked' DMs From Tchouameni Released

Aurelien Tchouameni

Over on X (Twitter), the account @AQABABE has posted screenshots claiming to be from a conversation with Tchouameni.

The France international allegedly said: "Something happened but I can't say anything,” before adding, "I told you nothing happened yesterday in the sense that there was no fight."

Tchouameni then allegedly said: "I didn't punch him, it’s not true, that’s all I can tell you." He added: "His head hit the ground."

@AQABABE then released a screen recording in an attempt to convince doubters that the DMs legitimately came from Tchouameni’s official Instagram account.

If the DMs are legit then it confirms that both Valverde and Tchouameni agree no punches were thrown during the bust-up, despite reports to the contrary.

- Rob Swan

FEDERICO VALVERDE IN HOSPITAL AFTER FIGHT WITH AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI IN REAL MADRID LOCKER ROOM

Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Real Madrid players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni were reportedly involved in a heated bust-up in the club’s locker room that has led to the Uruguayan being treated in hospital.

Valverde is said to have suffered a cut to his head after hitting the table during a physical altercation with Madrid teammate Tchouameni.

This is not the first time the pair have come to blows, according to Marca, but it seems to be the most serious incident yet, with a maximum punishment thought to be awaiting the players.

It seems disciplinary proceedings are now set to go ahead, with this really being far from what Real Madrid needed after some disappointing results in a frustrating season, and with a huge game against rivals Barcelona coming up next.

How Real Madrid players lost their discipline

Speaking to CaughtOffside, Spanish football expert Ruairidh Barlow, editor of Football Espana, provided some background to this crazy story coming out of Madrid.

“The Valverde-Tchouameni tension is not something that we have heard about before this week, but it is symptomatic of a volcanic dressing room right now,” Barlow told us.

“In that specific incident, after a fight on Wednesday, Valverde reportedly refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand, which led to another training session of intense tackles, and culminated in the fight.

“More widely, it’s just the latest incident in a number of feuds ongoing. As many as six players are supposedly not talking to manager Alvaro Arbeloa. Dani Ceballos, Raul Asencio and Dani Carvajal have all fallen out with Arbeloa, and the latter’s frustration led to an injury to a youth player after a rash tackle.

“In the past week, we’ve heard about Kylian Mbappe getting angry at a member of the coaching staff, and Antonio Rudiger getting physical with Alvaro Carreras too.

On the whole, the consensus is that this is the product of a dressing room that has been without leaders for some time, and without a manager to impose authority. With President Florentino Perez backing his stars over managers, and doing little to curb their behaviour himself, the lack of discipline has descended into the chaos we’re seeing this week.”

Kylian Mbappe sees the funny side as Real Madrid descends into chaos

At least Kylian Mbappe seemed in a good mood as he was pictured laughing on his way out of Real Madrid training today.

See below for footage originally captured by El Chiringuito, which shows Mbappe in good spirits despite the apparent chaos unfolding behind the scenes…

Mbappe himself has been at the centre of some controversy recently as Madrid truly enters meltdown mode.

The France international recently had an injury problem that saw him given permission to take a holiday, but this did not go down well with some fans, as a petition pushing for him to leave the club is rapidly gaining momentum.

A video explainer below from Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol sums everything up nicely, with the feeling being that Mbappe is being made a scapegoat for the team’s problems, and, honestly, when you hear about the incident between Valverde and Tchouameni it’s hard not to agree that there are bigger problems at the Bernabeu right now…

Real are known for being a club of superstars with big egos, but that has usually helped them to great success throughout their history.

At the moment, though, they’re going through a difficult period, with the team set to finish trophyless this season, while they’ve gone out of the Champions League early both this year and last.

Who can solve Real Madrid crisis?

With Xabi Alonso leaving his position as manager earlier this season, Alvaro Arbeloa has been unable to steady the ship during his time as interim manager.

A new long-term appointment will be needed this summer, and it may be that a strict disciplinarian like Jose Mourinho is needed to put things in order.

Having said that, the Portuguese tactician is also known for being a bit of a difficult character himself, so that could perhaps just make things worse.

Los Blancos fans will surely want the legendary Zinedine Zidane back, but ESPN have reported on him agreeing to become the next manager of the French national team…

- REAL MADRID CF

10-MAN REAL MADRID DEFEAT PACHUCA FOR FIRST WIN OF CLUB WORLD CUP

Subscription Customers Only] Jun 22, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Real Madrid defender Gonzalo Garcia (20) in action with Pachuca defender Federico Pereira (16) during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Susana Vera-Reuters via Imagn Images

Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler scored late in the first half to help 10-man Real Madrid to a 3-1 victory over CF Pachuca in a Group H clash played amid sweltering conditions Sunday in Charlotte, N.C.

Federico Valverde's sliding volley in the 70th minute sealed Xabi Alonso's first victory as Madrid manager. The result puts his side's FIFA Club World Cup campaign back on track after a dramatic 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal in Wednesday's opener, and despite Sunday's early dismissal of defender Raul Asencio.

Real Madrid (1-0-1, 4 points) can clinch a place in the last 16 with a win or draw against RB Salzburg on Thursday in Philadelphia. Al-Hilal play Salzburg later Sunday in Washington.

Thibault Courtois made 10 saves for the victors, though he could do little on Elias Montiel's 80th-minute deflected effort that provided Pachuca (0-2-0, 0 points) consolation.

The Mexican side was eliminated despite leading its Spanish foes 25-8 edge in shots overall and 11-3 in efforts on target. But as in Pachuca's 2-1 Wednesday loss to Salzburg, it was their opponents who had more quality in their attacks.

Head referee Ramon Abatti Abel showed no hesitation in dismissing Asencio in the seventh minute for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity after the Madrid defender hauled down Salomon Rondon just beyond the penalty area.

But after absorbing pressure for most of the opening half-hour, the Spaniards raced out to a 2-0 lead in the half's final 15 minutes.

In the 35th, Gonzalo Garcia's quick flick-on freed Fran Garcia down the left. The latter then picked out the late run of Bellingham, who collected a square ball and slid his low finish past Carlos Moreno from 15 yards.

In the 43rd, it was Guler providing the finishing touch from inside the area on another flowing Madrid move, this time with Gonzalo Garcia providing the final square pass after Trent Alexander-Arnold's first-touch cross.

Pachuca continued to apply pressure after the break, with Courtois forced to push Bryan Gonzalez's early-second half effort over the bar and John Kennedy's 61st-minute strike from distance well clear of his left post.

- FIELD LEVEL MEDIA

VINICIUS JÚNIOR, REAL MADRID TO SKIP BALLON D'OR AWARDS - SOURCES

Vinícius Júnior and his Real Madrid teammates will not travel to Paris for Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony, sources have told ESPN, because they believe Manchester City midfielder Rodri will receive the award.

Vinícius, 24, was a leading contender to win the 2024 men's prize after leading Madrid to a LaLiga and Champions League double last season.

Sources have told ESPN that the Brazil international and his fellow Madrid nominees -- Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Kylian Mbappé, Antonio Rüdiger, Federico Valverde, as well as Andriy Lunin, nominated for best goalkeeper, Arda Güler, nominated for the Kopa trophy, and Carlo Ancelotti, nominated for best coach -- would not be attending the event, organized by the magazine France Football, in collaboration with UEFA.

Vinícius scored 15 goals in LaLiga last season, as well as six in the Champions League, including in Madrid's semifinal win over Bayern Munich and in the final against Borussia Dortmund.

The feeling in Madrid in recent weeks had been that the forward was likely to claim the award.

"I think he'll win it," Ancelotti said last week.

Vinícius would have been the first Brazilian to win the men's Ballon d'Or since Kaká in 2007.

The 2023 Ballon d'Or was won by Lionel Messi -- his eighth -- while in 2022, Madrid's Karim Benzema was handed the prize.

Vinícius scored a second-half hat trick in Madrid's 5-2 Champions League comeback against Dortmund last week, before featuring in a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Clásico on Saturday.

In the summer, he scored twice for Brazil in the Copa America -- both goals coming in a 4-1 win over Paraguay -- but struggled in the tournament overall, as they were eliminated by Uruguay in the quarterfinals.

Rodri was a key figure in City's 2023-24 Premier League title, and then starred for Spain in their run to victory at Euro 2024.

- Gustavo Hofman and Rodrigo Faez

KYLIAN MBAPPÉ HAS SHUT UP REAL MADRID CRITICS - VALVERDE

Federico Valverde has praised his Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappé. Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has said Kylian Mbappé has already "shut up" critics who claimed the forward joining the LaLiga giants would lead to problems in the dressing room.

Mbappé has scored seven goals for Madrid -- five of them in LaLiga -- since joining on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

This week, the France international's absence from his national team's squad has caused controversy at home, after Mbappé returned sooner than expected from a thigh injury to feature for Madrid against Lille and Villarreal.

"We all know the class of player [Mbappé] is, he's one of the best in the world," Valverde told France Football, in an extract from an interview to be published on Saturday. "Having him here today is a huge satisfaction, it's a joy to share a pitch with him.

"I've had to suffer [playing against him] with PSG, and playing against France with my country [Uruguay]. He stands out in every game, in every training session. He's a top player. Thank God he's here with us, I can enjoy it, my family too, and my kids can watch him."

Mbappé was a Madrid target for years before finally making the switch this summer, but there were some doubts over how he'd fit into a team which won a Champions League and LaLiga double last season, and already featured Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Goes.

"As a person [Mbappé] is incredible," Valverde said. "He's shut a lot of people up, [people said] if he came here there'd be a lot of conflict, I don't know what else.

"He's quietened all that down, all those rumours, and he's shown he's a spectacular person ... [His Spanish] is impressive, better than mine!"

Madrid face a tough run of games after the international break, visiting Celta Vigo and hosting Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League before playing league leaders Barcelona in the first Clásico of the season.

- Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez

REAL MADRID'S RODRYGO 'UPSET' BY BALLON D'OR SNUB

Rodrygo told ESPN he was "upset" at his omission from this week's men's Ballon d'Or shortlist, after helping Real Madrid win a LaLiga and Champions League double last season.

Club teammates Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos -- since retired -- Antonio Rüdiger and Dani Carvajal were nominated, as well as Madrid's summer signing Kylian Mbappé, but there was no place for Rodrygo on the 30-man list.

"I was upset, I think I deserved it," Rodrygo told ESPN in an exclusive interview on Sunday. "I don't want to belittle the players who are there, but I think I had a place in the 30. It was a surprise... But there's not much I can do, I'm not the one who decides these things."

The Ballon d'Or winner will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on Oct. 28.

Rodrygo scored 10 goals in 34 LaLiga appearances last season, as well as finding the net five times in the Champions League.

His place in the Madrid team has come under pressure with the arrival of Mbappé, although coach Carlo Ancelotti has continued to pick him as part of a three-man forward line so far this campaign.

In a recent social media post, Rodrygo published a series of photos of himself lifting trophies with Madrid, accompanied by a laughing emoji, which he admitted was intended to make fun of his Ballon d'Or snub.

"I made a somewhat mocking post," Rodrygo told ESPN. "Now there's not much to say. Everyone knows my indignation. Everyone [has supported me], both in the national team and at Real Madrid. People sent messages."

Rodrygo admitted that his versatility has inhibited his progress, especially with Brazil, who play Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

The forward scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory over Ecuador this weekend.

"Often, I'm just filling spaces," Rodrygo said. "Is someone missing there? Put Rodrygo in. Is someone missing on the right? Rodrygo. Is someone missing as No. 9? Rodrygo. That's it. It may get in my way a little, but I'm a team player."

Rodrygo was asked about Madrid and Brazil teenager Endrick, who has been given the ironic nickname "Bobby" by teammates after citing England legend Bobby Charlton as one of his idols.

"Now he has become Bobby!" Rodrygo told ESPN. "He is no longer Endrick. He's become Bobby, that's it. There's nothing to be done, if he gets angry, it's worse!"

- Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez

KYLIAN MBAPPÉ SAYS REAL MADRID HAVE 'NO LIMIT' AFTER SUPER CUP WIN

Kylian Mbappé said there's "no limit" to how many goals he and Real Madrid can score this season, after getting off the mark in his debut as the club lifted the UEFA Super Cup with a 2-0 win over Atalanta.

After a tight first half in Warsaw, Poland, Federico Valverde opened the scoring in the 59th minute, converting Vinícius Júnior's cross, before Mbappé scored his first Madrid goal nine minutes later from a slick attacking move involving Rodrygo , Vinícius and Jude Bellingham.

"We're at Real Madrid, we have no limit, I have no limit," Mbappé told Movistar after the match on Wednesday when he was asked whether 50 goals was a realistic target for him this season. "If I can score 50 goals, it's 50. But the most important thing is to win and improve as a team, because we're going to win as a team."

Mbappé joined Madrid on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, signing a five-year contract and ending a long-running, high-profile transfer saga.

The France international started the Super Cup game -- which pitted the winners of last season's Champions League, Madrid, against the Europa League winners, Italy's Atalanta -- and played as a central striker, just a week after joining up with his new teammates for preseason training.

"A great night," Mbappé said. "I've been waiting for this moment a long time, to play in this shirt, with this badge, for these fans. It's a great moment for me.

"Winning a trophy is very important, we know that [at Madrid] we always have to win. I'm very happy, for sure with the goal, for a forward like me, being decisive in my first game, but more importantly it's a pleasure to play."

Madrid lined up with Brazilians Vinícius and Rodrygo either side of Mbappé, and Bellingham behind him, in an attacking side picked by coach Carlo Ancelotti.

- Alex Kirkland, ESPN FC

REAL MADRID WON'T UNDERESTIMATED MUNICH IN UCL - ANCELOTTI

Bayern Munich remain dangerous despite surrendering the Bundesliga title, Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday. Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

 MUNICH, Germany -- Carlo Ancelotti has insisted Real Madrid will not take Bayern Munich lightly in their Champions League semifinal despite their poor domestic season and labelled the German side "dangerous" ahead of the first leg at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.

Bayern have relinquished the Bundesliga title for the first time since 2012 with their disappointing campaign playing a part in the decision to part company with coach Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season.

Real Madrid are favourites to progress to the Champions League final at Wembley, but Ancelotti has warned his team against any complacency.

"We're preparing to play a big team with lots of qualities," Ancelotti told a news conference on Monday.

"We are confident and have faith but we have respect for Bayern Munich. They haven't played a fantastic season in the Bundesliga but they played very well in two matches against Arsenal. This shows the quality of this club.

"They are strong in transition, they can play in different ways and are very dangerous. We need to focus and take ourselves to the final, that's our goal."

At his own news conference earlier on Monday, Tuchel said Bayern would have "no chance" if the tie comes down to the experience of the two managers.

Ancelotti, 64, has won the Champions League four times and taken charge of more matches in the competition than any other coach, but the Italian was quick to brand his counterpart a "genius" when asked to assess Tuchel's ability.

"It's not up to us, the coaches," Ancelotti said.

"The match is up to the players. You give them the idea or the strategy and they have to be convinced of it but it's all about the players and their behaviour on the pitch. Thomas Tuchel is a great coach, especially in terms of tactics. A genius. His teams are always well trained and I have a lot of respect for him."

Real Madrid are favourites to add to their record 14 Champions League titles after knocking out holders Manchester City in the last round.

Federico Valverde was asked whether the competition was "easier" now City are out, but the midfielder said Bayern's history -- including six wins -- makes them just as big a threat as Pep Guardiola's side.

"All the matches are complicated in this competition," Valverde said.

"All the teams deserve respect, Bayern Munich above all. The same as Real Madrid they always make it until the end. We respect them in the same way we respect Manchester City. We need to show great performances with the quality that we have and we want to win this title.

"We need to have faith and confidence in all parts of the team. We want to make the final and that's what we fight for."

- Rob Dawson, Correspondent

FEDERICO VALVERDE TO MANCHESTER UNITED

News from Soain says Uruguayan International Federico Valverde may be heading to Manchester United after their 70 million Euro bid goes through.