The crisis at Real Madrid has deepened – with the identity of Antonio Rudiger’s ‘slap’ victim now revealed.
There was a training ground bust-up involving the combative German, who had to be separated after reportedly slapping a team-mate.
Rudiger ‘lost his mind’ during the row two weeks ago following their 1-1 draw with Real Betis and the player on the receiving end was Alvaro Carreras, according to reports in Spain.
They also state that the ex-Man United and Benfica man’s commitment has come under scrutiny from coaches.
Carreras, 23, has now put out a statement about the altercation, writing: ‘In recent days, certain insinuations and comments have emerged about me that do not reflect reality.
‘My commitment to this club and to the coaches I have worked with has been absolute from day one, and it will continue to be so. Since I returned, I have always worked with the utmost professionalism, respect and dedication. I have fought very hard to fulfill my dream of coming back home.
Alvaro Carreras (left) was reportedly the ‘slap victim’ of Antonio Rudiger (right)
‘Regarding the incident with a team-mate, it was an isolated matter without importance that has already been resolved. My relationship with the entire team is very good.’
According to the Athletic, Rudiger apologised and made amends by taking out the players and their families for a meal last Friday.
The flashpoint between Rudiger and Carreras is the latest off-the-pitch incident in a disastrous season for Real and the dressing room appears divided.
Star man Kylian Mbappe has been the subject of criticism in recent weeks, with the 27-year-old reportedly involved in a heated argument with a member of manager Alvaro Arbeloa’s staff during a training session.
Mbappe spoke angrily and in insulting terms towards the assistant, who was acting as a referee during a training match.
The incident is understood to have contributed to a worsening of the mood between Mbappe and Madrid.
The injured star was also criticised for taking a holiday on a luxury yacht with his new girlfriend Ester Exposito, while his team-mates prepare to face Barcelona this weekend in El Clasico – in which they could mathematically lose the LaLiga title race for a second season running.
More than 250,000 angry Madrid fans have signed a petition calling for Mbappe to leave the club in what has been a miserable two-season spell since he joined for free from Paris Saint-Germain. In that time, Mbappe and Madrid have failed to win a major trophy.
Kylian Mbappe and his girlfriend Ester Exposito flew to Sardinia as Real Madrid played Espanyol this weekend
But Mbappe has hit back at his critics in emphatic fashion. A spokesperson told AFP: ‘Part of the criticisms are based on an overinterpretation of elements related to a recovery period strictly supervised by the club.
‘This is NOT corresponding to the reality of the commitment and the work that Kylian does daily for the good of the team.’
Following the emergence of pictures of his Sardinia holiday with Spanish actress Exposito, fans flooded X with graphics labeled ‘fuera’ or ‘Mbappe out’, with even his team-mates thought to feel that his decision to go on holiday at this point in the season had distanced him from the dressing room, according to AS.
In Spain, there is believed to be ‘incomprehension’ over Mbappe’s Italian jaunt, despite his return to training on Monday.
And a petition has been launched online calling for ‘Mbappe out’, reading: ‘Madridistas, make your voice heard. If you believe change is needed, don’t stay silent — sign this petition and stand for what you think is best for the club’s future.’
The petition had 253,000 signatures by midday on Tuesday.
Real’s manager Alvaro Arbeloa was quick to defend his player, saying after the weekend’s 2-0 victory that Mbappe had followed protocol.
‘All planning regarding injured players is always overseen by Real Madrid’s medical staff, who determine when they need to go to Valdebebas and when they don’t,’ he said. ‘In his free time, Mbappe can do whatever he sees fit, like any other player.’
But according to L’Equipe, whether it was sanctioned or unsanctioned did not remove the sting of irritation felt by Mbappe’s team-mates, with figures inside the Bernabeu said to be frustrated by his lack of discretion amid a troubling time in the campaign.
According to the French publication, Mbappe is already perceived to be receiving preferential treatment in the Spanish capital since his 2024 move from Paris Saint-Germain.
The France national team captain opted to spend his time on the sidelines with the actress
His choice to almost exclusively fraternise with his fellow Frenchmen in the team, and incidents such as delaying a team meal by turning up late are also thought to have marked him as ‘overly individualistic’.
Last month, Daily Mail Sport reported that Mbappe had been accused by one former French national team star, Emmanuel Petit, as having ‘filled Real Madrid’s dressing room with selfishness’.
The lack of harmony in the Real squad has been evident for some time, with the Rudiger and Mbappe incidents painting a picture of a squad clearly not aligned.
Arbeloa is on his way out after the season ends and Jose Mourinho is currently favourite to take the helm.
If the veteran boss does indeed return to the Bernabeu, he will inherit a dressing room badly in need of repair.
