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Real Madrid have been rocked by reports of internal turmoil as senior stars Kylian Mbappé and Antonio Rüdiger were involved in separate heated confrontations.
With a crucial El Clásico against Barcelona looming, the timing of these dressing room flare-ups has left the atmosphere in Valdebebas at an all-time low.
Rüdiger triggers a confrontation in the dressing room
The first sign of trouble emerged in April when veteran defender Rüdiger was allegedly involved in a heated argument with a team-mate at the club’s training ground.
Athletics reports that the Germany international was the instigator of the confrontation, which further unsettled a team already on the brink of their Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich.
While the defenseman later apologized and tried to mend fences by inviting the team and their families to a team lunch, the incident set a tense tone in the final weeks of the season.
Despite the flashpoint, Rüdiger has not faced any formal internal punishment, although the incident remains a major point of discussion in the club’s inner circles as they prepare for a high-stakes trip to Catalonia.
Mbappé clashes with the coaching staff
The tension has not been limited to the playing staff as Mbappé found himself in the middle of a row with a member of Alvaro Arbeloa’s coaching staff.
The Frenchman reportedly reacted angrily during a training exercise to a staff member acting as an assistant referee who had flagged him for offside.
Mbappe reportedly used “abusive expressions” during the exchange, adding to the growing sense of friction between the superstar and the technical team.
This follows earlier whispers of a breakdown in relations between Mbappe and the technical staff after he appeared frustrated during a recent substitution.
Controversial recovery trip sparks outrage
Mbappe’s decision to travel to Italy and Sardinia while recovering from a hamstring injury has also become a major point of contention.
While his teammates were coming off a win against Espanyol, the forward’s departure was seen by many as a lack of commitment at a critical period for the club.
Some staff have privately criticized the club for not taking a firmer stance on the player’s activities during his rehabilitation.
However, the player’s camp has hit back at what they perceive as unfair treatment.
In a statement, his representatives claimed: “Part of the criticism is based on an over-interpretation of elements related to a recovery period strictly monitored by the club, and does not reflect the reality of Kylian’s commitment and daily work for the team.”
Arbeloa remains reticent about Clásico availability
Arbeloa has tried to play down the drama and insists players are free to manage their own time. “In their free time, each player does what they see fit and I don’t interfere,” the coach stated.
He further clarified that “all planning regarding injured players is monitored and managed by Madrid’s medical staff, who are the ones who decide when they go to Valdebebas and when they don’t.
Despite the public support, reports indicate that Arbeloa is privately unhappy with how the hierarchy has handled the situation. The focus now shifts to whether the club’s top scorer will be ready for Sunday’s clash at Camp Nou.
