Real Madrid captain Federico Valverde has been ruled out of the upcoming El Clasico this weekend, owing to an injury suffered just days before the tie.
The club has issued a statement confirming Valverde's absence from the La Liga game against Barcelona.
"After the tests carried out today on our player Fede Valverde by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a cranioencephalic trauma.
"Valverde is at home in good condition and will need to rest for 10 to 14 days, as indicated by medical protocols for this diagnosis." the statement read.
Valverde reportedly sustained the injury following an altercation with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni in the dressing room at the club's training ground on Thursday. The incident came a day after tensions between the two players had reportedly emerged during training.
According to multiple reports, Valverde was later taken to hospital for medical examinations after suffering a head injury during the altercation. In an official statement, Real Madrid confirmed that disciplinary proceedings had been opened against both players.
“Real Madrid C.F. announces that, following the incidents that occurred this morning during the first team's training session, it has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against our players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni,” the club stated.
The tensions reportedly began during Wednesday's training session and continued into the dressing room afterwards. Multiple sources said Thursday's confrontation stemmed from a strong tackle made by Valverde on Tchouameni during training.
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After the session ended, Tchouameni confronted Valverde in the dressing room, where a verbal disagreement escalated into a physical altercation. During the exchange, Valverde fell and struck his head on a table, prompting the club to send him for hospital checks.
The clash follows a series of disciplinary concerns within the squad in recent weeks. Last month, Antonio Rudiger apologised after a heated dressing-room argument with another team-mate at the club's training complex.
Madrid are second in La Liga 11 points behind leaders Barcelona. Should Barcelona avoid defeat in the El Clasico they will be crowned as the champions.
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