Real Madrid midfielder, Federico Valverde, has issued a detailed public statement addressing reports of a training-ground incident involving a teammate, insisting there was no physical altercation between them and attributing the episode to frustration and end-of-season tension.
In a statement shared on social media by football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, Valverde confirmed that an incident occurred during a training session, explaining that fatigue and emotional strain from a demanding campaign contributed to what he described as an “overblown” situation.
“Yesterday I had an incident with a teammate during a training session. The fatigue from competition and the frustration made everything seem blown out of proportion,” he said.
He stressed that such disagreements can happen in a professional dressing room and are normally resolved internally without public attention, suggesting that details of the episode had been exaggerated through external speculation.
“In a normal locker room, these things can happen and are usually resolved internally without it becoming all public,” Valverde added, implying that misinformation had fuelled unnecessary controversy.
The Uruguayan international also referenced a second moment of tension, explaining that he accidentally struck a table during an argument, which caused a minor cut to his forehead that required a routine hospital visit.
He firmly denied any physical confrontation with his teammate.
“At no point did my teammate hit me, I didn’t hit him either,” he stated, dismissing reports suggesting a fight.
Valverde acknowledged the emotional strain within the squad following a disappointing season, including elimination from the UEFA Champions League, and admitted that frustration had affected his reaction in training.
“I feel that my anger about the situation, frustration at seeing some of us struggling to get through end of season, giving it our all, pushed me to the point of arguing with a teammate,” he said.
He expressed regret over how the situation unfolded, apologising to supporters, the club, and his teammates.
“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry because this situation hurts me,” Valverde said. “Real Madrid is one of the most important things in my life and I can’t be indifferent to it.”
Valverde added that he had initially chosen not to speak publicly until the end of the season, but felt compelled to clarify events after rumours circulated.
“We’ve wasted another year, and I wasn’t in a position to be posting on social media when the only face I had to show was on the field,” he explained.
He concluded by stating his continued commitment to the club and his willingness to support any internal decisions taken by the management.
“I always gave it my all, to the very end… I am available to the club and my teammates to collaborate on any decision they deem necessary. Thank you,” he said.
The statement comes amid heightened scrutiny around Madrid following a turbulent campaign, with tensions reportedly rising in the dressing room as the season draws to a close.
