Internal turmoil and player conduct issues at Real Madrid

Real Madrid is facing a difficult season, currently sitting in second place in La Liga and having been eliminated from the Champions League. Internal tension has intensified following reports of physical altercations between players. Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni were involved in a training ground fight on May 7, 2026, which resulted in Valverde requiring hospital treatment, though it was noted his injury was not caused by Tchouameni. Additionally, Antonio Rudiger reportedly slapped Alvaro Carreras in the locker room in April, an incident the club has since addressed with a formal apology and team reconciliation efforts. Simultaneously, Kylian Mbappe has faced criticism from fans, the club, and his teammates for taking a trip to Italy while recovering from a hamstring injury during critical team matches. Despite having official leave, the timing of his absence and his public activities have caused significant friction within the squad. CEO Jose Angel Sanchez has held emergency meetings to manage these growing crises. Under coach Alvaro Arbeloa, the team's cohesion is currently under heavy scrutiny as they prepare for upcoming fixtures.