Real Madrid are in total crisis, and that’s before you factor in that they’re about to complete a second trophyless season in a row, and their first in five years.
A training ground brawl that left Federico Valverde hospitalised, a dressing room reportedly in open revolt against their soon-to-be sacked manager, and now fresh claims that one of their biggest stars has been funnelling information to Alvaro Arbeloa behind his teammates' backs have led to this crisis-point.
Alvaro Arbeloa
It's been one of the most turbulent weeks, let alone seasons in Los Blancos' history, and there appears to be no end in sight for now.
They’re a club that’s won more Champions League trophies than any other, the club that’s historically prided itself on an aura of invincibility, but today, they resemble nothing of the sort.
One of Real Madrid’s Star Players is Suspected of Being the Main Informant
Vinicius Jr
The issues surrounding Vinicius Jr are not new. As far back as March, reports were emerging that the Real Madrid dressing room had grown tired of the Brazilian's attitude, both towards teammates and in his own conduct on the pitch.
What raised eyebrows at the time was his unusually close relationship with his manager, despite most of the squad losing faith in him many weeks before. It was a relationship that manifested itself on the field. Vinicius has been virtually untouchable since Arbeloa's arrival, missing just one match across the entire season, and that was only due to suspension.
According to Mundo Deportivo, a significant portion of the Real Madrid squad are convinced that Vinicius is acting as Arbeloa's informant, relaying what happens behind closed doors when the manager isn't present. It’s the kind of accusation that poisons a dressing room from the inside out, and in a squad already operating under enormous tension, it’s only made the resentment towards the Brazilian worse.
Adding further uncertainty to the Vinicius situation is the matter of his contract, which expires on the 30th of June 2027. With no renewal agreed, Vinicius could be free to negotiate with foreign clubs from the 1st of January 2027, meaning Real Madrid could be facing the prospect of losing one of the world's best players for nothing, at a time when the club can ill afford any further instability. But in equal measure, many of the players who’ve accused Vinicius of being the “snitch,” might be glad to see the back of him.
A Dressing Room In Revolt
Real Madrid's Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni talking
The Vinicius accusations are just the latest chapter in a week that looks to have brought an ugly end to Alvaro Arbeloa's tenure at the Bernabeu. Federico Valverde was taken to hospital after a physical altercation with Aurélien Tchouameni at training, with the Uruguayan later releasing a lengthy personal statement in which he disputed the reported events. Antonio Rüdiger is said to have been involved in a separate incident involving Alvaro Carreras, while Kylian Mbappe reportedly clashed with a member of the club’s training staff.
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The Uruguay captain's version of events tells a very different story.
Most damning of all, at least six players are said to be refusing to speak to Arbeloa entirely, a manager who is expected to be relieved of his duties at the end of the season regardless of what unfolds between now and then. Madrid are out of the Champions League, trophyless for two seasons, and now staring down the barrel of a Barcelona title celebration if they lose this weekend’s El Clasico, so yes, it might just get worse for them.