Real Madrid head coach Álvaro Arbeloa has issued a firm response to questions about his squad’s professionalism following the recent incident involving Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde.
His comments come in the wake of a reported altercation between the two players, which is said to have occurred during training and later continued in the dressing room. Valverde suffered a cut on his forehead and was taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a concussion that rules him out of Sunday’s El Clásico on May 10.
Both players have since apologised for the incident and were each fined €500,000. Arbeloa acknowledged the club’s swift handling of the matter and welcomed the players’ remorse.
However, speaking in his pre-match press conference, he pushed back strongly against suggestions questioning the overall professionalism within the Real Madrid squad ahead of the high-profile fixture.
Alvaro Arbeloa, head coach of Real Madrid, gestures during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between FC Bayern Munchen and Real Madrid (Photo By Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images)
“I will not allow all of this to be used to question the professionalism of my players. Many lies are being told. It is a lie that my players are not professional.”
Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde of Real Madrid CF warms up during the Spanish League, LaLiga EA Sports, football match played between Real Madrid and Elche CF (Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)
“It is a lie that my players have disrespected me even once. It is absolutely false. I’ve been here for four months, and I am very proud of my players” Arbeloa said.
Arda Gueler of Real (R) argues with Referee Slavko Vincic (C) after the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Real Madrid CF (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
