Two Real Madrid players are believed to have been involved in a training ground spat as tensions in the Spanish capital show no sign of abating amid a turbulent end to the campaign, according to reports.
On Wednesday, Daily Mail Sport reported the name of the player thought to have been slapped by teammate Antonio Rudiger during a training ground dispute two weeks ago, with Alvaro Carreras later posting a lengthy statement on social media.
The same day, Spanish outlet Marca reported that there was another fracas within the group, as Fede Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni allegedly almost came to blows amid a furious argument.
The publication stated that the incident occurred following a challenge between the players, which spiraled into a public confrontation.
Valverde — who is believed to have attracted interest from Manchester United with the summer transfer window fast approaching — and his French counterpart are thought to have pushed one another, with the argument spilling into the locker room following the session at Valdebebas.
With the noxious atmosphere of discontent in Madrid showing no signs of breaking, some of Alvaro Arbeloa's players are said to be barely on speaking terms with one another — with the publication stressing that up to six players are refusing to speak to the interim head coach himself.
Arbeloa was forced to swat away speculation on Sunday after Real Madrid's 2-0 defeat of Espanyol when questioned over the whereabouts of one of the figures at the centre of the roiling drama in the dressing room, Kylian Mbappe.
The France captain became a flashpoint for controversy when he was snapped on a yacht in Sardinia with his new girlfriend, actress Ester Exposito, last weekend.
The 27-year-old was recovering from a muscular issue in his left leg which kept him out of Arbeloa's side, later returning to training on Monday.
But questions were raised over whether Mbappe had broken protocol by taking a holiday before the end of the season — accusations which his manager firmly denied.
Mbappe himself also released a statement via a spokesperson, stressing that the criticism he was receiving was 'NOT corresponding to the reality and the work that Kylian does daily for the good of the team'.
Outlets in Spain, however, reported that amongst his teammates there was 'incomprehension' over the timing of his holiday, and a petition calling for the player to leave the club gathered traction on Wednesday evening.
Before taking the holiday, Mbappe had come in for previous criticism for alleged 'individualism' in the dressing room, and reportedly got caught up in a heated confrontation with one of Arbeloa's assistants during a training session.
Discontent among Real Madrid's ranks comes as the club prepares for the final El Clasico of the season — where defeat could see loathed rivals Barcelona crowned LaLiga champions.
The Catalan giants sit 11 points clear of their old foe, and only Madrid's victory against Espanyol last weekend stopped Los Blancos from having to give Barcelona a guard of honour when the champions-in-waiting welcome them to Camp Nou on Sunday.
