Real Madrid icon Luis Figo has warned that there could be more dressing room fights on the horizon at the club after midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni came to blows this week. The Spanish giants have endured an explosive campaign, starting with Xabi Alonso taking the reins before being sacked due to disappointing form and reports of dressing room unrest. Things have not improved under his replacement Alvaro Arbeloa, with Real set to end the season without a trophy.
Figo's Take on the Incident
The former Portuguese winger, speaking exclusively to Mirror Football, said: 'They both have too much energy. It's not normal, and it shouldn't happen within a team environment. But it won't be the first or the last time something like this happens.' He added: 'When frustration builds, players can react in abnormal ways. I can't really add much more because Real Madrid has already released a statement on the matter.'
Valverde's Statement
Uruguayan international Valverde has already spoken out on his clash with Tchouameni. In a lengthy statement, he said: 'Yesterday I had an incident with a teammate during a training session. The fatigue from competition and the frustration made everything seem blown out of proportion. In a normal locker room, these things can happen and are usually resolved internally without it becoming all public. Clearly, someone here is spreading rumours, and with a season without titles, where Real Madrid is always under scrutiny, everything gets blown out of proportion.'
He continued: 'Today we had another disagreement. 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; I didn't hit him either. I feel that my anger about the situation, 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.'
Valverde added: 'The result is an accumulation of things that culminate in a senseless fight, damaging my image and leaving room for doubt that they will add fuel to the fire of an accident. I wasn't going to speak out until the end of the season. We were eliminated from the Champions League, and I kept my anger and resentment to myself. We've wasted another year, and I wasn't in a position to be posting on social media when the only face I had to show was on the field, and I feel that's what I did. That's why I'm the one who's most saddened and pained to be going through this situation that prevents me from playing the next match due to medical decisions. I always gave it my all, to the very end, and it hurts me more than anyone not to be able to do so. I am available to the club and my teammates to collaborate on any decision they deem necessary. Thank you.'
What's Next for Real Madrid?
Real Madrid are back in action this weekend as they take on Clasico rivals Barcelona. Anything but a win for Real Madrid would see the Catalans crowned as Spanish champions. The club has confirmed that each player has been fined in the aftermath of the fight, but Figo believes that will not deter future disagreements from breaking out.
