Tensions explode at Real Madrid as the dressing room descends into chaos ahead of a title-deciding El Clasico.
Chaos at Real Madrid: Training Ground Fights and Silent Treatment for Arbeloa
Fights break out regularly during training sessions, and manager Alvaro Arbeloa has lost the trust of his own squad.
Six first-team players now refuse to speak to the Spanish boss, according to reports from Spanish outlet Marca.
The latest incident involves Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni.
The two midfielders confronted each other during a training session, exchanging pushes before continuing their heated argument inside the dressing room.
This follows another physical altercation earlier this week, where Antonio Rudiger allegedly slapped teammate Alvaro Carreras.
The turmoil comes as Real Madrid face their worst campaign in years. Los Blancos trail Barcelona by 11 points in La Liga, and Bayern Munich knocked them out of the Champions League.
The club already sacked former manager Xabi Alonso back in January after a string of unacceptable results.
Now, with Barcelona needing just one point from the upcoming El Clasico to clinch the league title, the pressure has reached a breaking point.
Players appear frustrated and disconnected, and Arbeloa struggles to command authority.
Fans also express their anger. Nearly 20 million supporters have signed an online petition demanding Kylian Mbappe leave the club, criticising the forward for taking a holiday in Italy last weekend amid the crisis.
Mbappe’s representatives defend the player, insisting the break formed part of a recovery plan approved by the club.
With El Clasico looming and the La Liga title on the line, Real Madrid’s dressing room looks fractured.
Whether Arbeloa can restore order before Barcelona potentially celebrate at the Bernabeu remains very much in doubt.
