As the Real Madrid locker-room clash spiraled out of control, Federico Valverde (28) spoke out himself. He denied being struck by Aurélien Tchouaméni (26, both Real Madrid) while admitting, "the situation in the team is very painful."
Italian outlet Gianluca Di Marzio reported on the 8th (KST) that Federico Valverde had posted his position on this locker-room clash on his social media.
Earlier, Spanish outlet Marca reported on the 7th that Valverde and Tchouaméni had violently clashed during training and that Valverde had been taken to hospital. At the time, local reports escalated the controversy by saying Valverde had suffered a head injury during the scuffle.
Valverde first explained, "There was a clash with a teammate during yesterday's training. Fatigue and frustration from the match schedule seemed to have made everything look bigger."
He continued, "In a normal locker room these things can happen and are usually resolved internally. But someone keeps spreading the story outside," adding, "Real Madrid, going through a trophyless season, is always in the spotlight, so everything is being blown out of proportion."
He also personally clarified the particularly controversial hospital transfer situation.
Valverde said, "There was another argument today, and in the process I accidentally hit my head on a table. I had a small cut on my forehead and went for a hospital checkup," stressing, "Tchouaméni never once hit me, and I did not hit him either."
He did not hide his frustration about the current atmosphere inside Real.
Valverde said, "Seeing some players struggle at the end of the season while everyone is doing their best, the anger and frustration about that situation seem to have led to a fight with a teammate."
He also offered an apology to the fans.
He said, "I'm really sorry. The situation we are going through now is very painful. Real Madrid is one of the most important things in my life. That is why I could not pass this situation off indifferently."
He added, "After the Champions League elimination I kept carrying anger and disappointment alone. I planned to say nothing until the end of the season, but the situation has come to this. I cannot play the next match because of the medical staff's judgment. That pains me more than anyone."
Finally Valverde added, "I have always given everything until the end. I am ready to follow whatever decisions the club and team make."
Real has underperformed both in the league and in the Union of European Football Associations Champions League this season and is shaken. Following poor performance on the field and the emergence of locker-room clash reports, the mood at the end of the season has become even more unsettled.
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