Federico Valverde has broken his silence on the training ground incident that has sent shockwaves through the footballing world, releasing a lengthy and deeply personal statement in which he disputes the version of events that have been reported.
The Uruguayan midfielder, who was taken to hospital following an altercation with Aurelien Tchouameni, insists that at no point did his teammate strike him, and that the cut to his head was caused accidentally. Directly contradicting earlier reports suggesting Tchouameni had punched him, which knocked him unconscious.
Real Madrid have already released a statement where they've confirmed that they have opened disciplinary action against both players. They have also confirmed that the player suffered a 'traumatic' brain injury' and will miss El Clasico.
Real Madrid's Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni talking Related
Real Madrid Make Strong Punishment Decision After Valverde's Fight With Tchouameni
More shocking details have emerged, with one player said to have 'lost consciousness' after the clash.
El Halcon Breaks His Silence
Federico Valverde
Federico Valverde
Valverde was very open about the frustration and fatigue that had been building within the squad over the course of a desperately disappointing season, and took aim at whoever he believed leaked the story to the press:
"In a normal locker room, these things can happen and are usually resolved internally without it becoming public knowledge. Clearly, someone here is spreading rumors, and with a season without titles, where Real Madrid is always under scrutiny, everything gets blown out of proportion."
Read the full, translated post below:
Rarely do you get such a lengthy and honest statement from a player so soon after an incident as shocking as this. Valverde acknowledged his own role in escalating the situation, apologised, and made clear just how much the club's struggles have weighed on him personally.
Most striking of all was his confirmation that he'll miss El Clasico this weekend, a fixture where bitter rivals Barcelona could secure the La Liga title with a win against Los Blancos, describing that it’s left him "saddened and pained.”
Los Blancos in Freefall
Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger is shown a yellow card by referee Slavko Vincic
Valverde's statement arrives towards the end of a season that’s laid bare the scale of the dysfunction at Real Madrid. With Antonio Rudiger also said to have been involved in a separate training ground incident, Kylian Mbappe reported to have clashed with a member of staff, and at least six players allegedly refusing to speak to manager Alvaro Arbeloa, who is set to be sacked at the end of the season.
Real Madrid currently have the look of a club in the grip of a crisis that's bigger than one argument between a pair of teammates. They're trophyless for two seasons and possibly on the brink of implosion, and with a possibly embarrassing El Clásico staring them in the face, the timing could hardly be worse.