At a glance
- Real Madrid teammates Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde had two bust ups this week.
- The second resulted in Valverde having to head to hospital in a wheelchair.
- The club is currently studying potential bans for both players.
Real Madrid legend Luis Figo has spoken out on the fight involving teammates Aurelien Tchoumeni and Fede Valverde this week.
The midfielders came to blows in Valdebebas on Thursday. A Wednesday row over a bad tackle in a training match was thought to be the end of it. The following day, however, Valverde would reportedly not stop accusing Tchouameni of leaking information to the press about their first disagreement.
This carried on from the training pitch to the locker room once more. And while there have been reports of Tchouameni knocking Valverde out with one punch, the Uruguayan claims he fell and will now miss El Clasico with a head injury.
“They both have too many batteries,” Figo quipped, from a Duracell event. “It isn’t normal, this cannot happen. But it will not be the first or the last time it does. Frustration leads you to have an attitude that isn’t normal. I can’t tell you anything else, Madrid have already made a statement,” Figo added.
While Madrid considers financial sanctions and bans for the two players, Figo has doubts that Jose Mourinho is the man to bring law and order into a clearly troubled locker room.
Mourinho might not rule with an iron fist at Real Madrid
Many think that Mourinho will be the old school disciplinarian Madrid need, but the Portuguese isn’t sure about that.
“Mourinho is a friend of mine and I wish everyone the best,” Figo said. “If his happiness is coaching Madrid, he is welcome. I don’t know if Mourinho has a strong hand. I have had him as a translator, as an assistant coach and as a manager. I don’t think Madrid need a heavy-handed coach.
“I’m not an apologist for the term iron fist. You have to manage 25 egos, you have to understand football and manage egos to be able to convince the players to go in the same direction. At Madrid you need a coach with management skills and common sense,” Figo explained.
With a La Liga-defining Clasico just two days away, Figo called the title race “already decided” with Barca 11 points ahead. However, anything can happen with Madrid fighting for pride and to stop early Catalan celebrations.
“The motivation will not be the same, but Madrid are playing for their image and dignity,” he said, while there was praise for his former club.
“Barcelona are playing great football, they have had a very good year. In the Champions League they got knocked out because of details. They have very talented young people, despite their financial problems that do not allow them to sign. But it gives opportunities to the young people of La Masia. They are doing very well,” Figo concluded.
