Real Madrid Midfielder Hospitalised After Training Ground Clash Ahead of El Clásico

(Federico Valverde. Photo by real madrid)

After a confrontation with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni during a training session on Thursday, Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde was treated in a hospital, according to multiple Spanish media sites.

According to the sources, Uruguay international Valverde required stitches to repair a facial wound. Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa escorted him to the hospital facility close to the team's Valdebebas training base.

The two athletes got into a fight during training on Wednesday, and it persisted on Thursday both during and after the practice.

The French player Tchouameni's punch did not immediately cause Valverde's cut, according to the Spanish publication Marca, which broke the story first.

When AFP contacted Real Madrid and the two players' agents over the event, they remained silent.

According to Spanish media, Valverde fouled Tchouameni during Thursday's training session after refusing to shake his hand. The two then got into a fight in the dressing room when the injury happened.

At Real Madrid, tensions are high as the team is about to miss out on a major prize for the second year in a row.

On Sunday, Los Blancos will play rivals Barcelona in a La Liga Clasico. If they win, the Catalans, who are now 11 points ahead of Los Blancos, may win back-to-back league titles.