9 May 2026 10:37 BST |
6 min read
Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has slammed an ‘act of betrayal’ at the club following the chaotic events of this week, which saw midfielder Federico Valverde hospitalised after a training ground clash with Aurelien Tchouameni.
The Real Madrid coach was speaking ahead of Sunday’s Clasico with Barcelona, in which the Blaugrana have the opportunity to seal the league title.
Arbeloa lamented that details of the situation were leaked to the press but has stood by both of his players, claiming that he will not “crucify them”. Indeed, he confirmed that Tchouameni will be available to face Barca at Camp Nou.
Arbeloa: I won’t crucify Tchouameni and Valverde
Arbeloa was asked to explain the situation that left Valverde needing to leave the training ground in a wheelchair with a ‘traumatic brain injury’ following his altercation with Tchouameni.
Coming close to tears at times, the Real Madrid boss said: “I have two things to say. First, I’m very proud of the club’s decisiveness, speed, and transparency. And second, that the players have acknowledged their mistake, expressed their regret, and apologised. That’s enough for me.
“What I’m not going to do is publicly crucify them, because they don’t deserve it. Not after what they’ve shown me these past four months and years. They’ve shown they know what it means to be a Real Madrid player, and I won’t forget that.
“Valverde and Tchouameni deserve for us to move on, to give them a chance to keep fighting for this club. I’m very proud of them.
“I won’t allow this to be used to question their professionalism: it’s a lie that they aren’t professional, that they’ve disrespected me… it’s absolutely false. Just as it’s a lie that some of them aren’t playing because of problems with me; they should go live their lives outside of Real Madrid.
“I’m the one ultimately responsible for the fact that the season probably… no, definitely, won’t be up to par. But I’ve been here four months and I’m very proud of my players. Of how they’ve welcomed me, of where we came from. And it’s clear that frustration and anger can lead you to situations you don’t want. But now, let’s focus on the game. That’s what we need to concentrate on now.”
Arbeloa hits out at Real Madrid ‘betrayal’
The Real Madrid boss is, however, furious that details of the incident were passed to the media.
“I had a teammate who hit another with a golf club. For me, the most serious thing is that what happens in the locker room should stay in the locker room. The incident was just bad luck. And it needs to be put to rest,” Arbeloa said.
“I’ll say it again, because maybe I wasn’t very clear: leaking things that happened in the locker room seems like a betrayal of Real Madrid. Of this badge.”
Reports in Spain indicate that the players feel that Vinicius Junior is the mole in the dressing room, but Arbeloa would not be drawn on such speculation.
“I don’t work for the CIA or anything like that. I’m not accusing my players, or anyone else; I can’t. There are a lot of people at Real Madrid, and I’m not about to point the finger at anyone. What happens with my players will stay between them and me,” he said.
What does this means for Tchouameni to Man Utd?
Arbeloa’s words reflect Real Madrid’s stance in the aftermath of the incident, with Tchouameni, who has previously been linked with Manchester United, not expected to be forced out the door.
Fabrizio Romano said: “Real Madrid have confirmed they have fined both players. It is €500,000 euros each. It is one of the biggest fines in Real Madrid history. The club believe that was the minimum after what happened over the last two days, Wednesday and Thursday.
“It has been a terrible week for Real Madrid at the training ground. But both players have apologised publicly and also privately. There was a conversation with teammates and both players said sorry, so the situation has now been clarified.
“Now, of course, this situation is making Manchester United fans ask if they can go and sign Tchouameni. United love him, that is for sure. They believe he is one of the best midfielders in the world.
“But at the moment, I am still told that Real Madrid consider Tchouameni an important player for the present and the future. We have to understand what happens with the manager, what happens with the structure, and whether Madrid want to renew his contract or not. There are several things to check.
“Real Madrid are not opening the door to an exit. Tchouameni also said in his statement that the club has to be brought back where it belongs from next season, so he is already sending a message for the future.”
Arbeloa, meanwhile, faces a major challenge to get his Real Madrid side to form a unified front to face a rampant Barcelona, with Los Blancos having lost five of the last six meetings with their fiercest rivals.
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