Tchouaméni and Mbappé trained normally ahead of the ‘Clásico,’ with the French midfielder fully reintegrated into the group after the altercation with Valverde. The incident, which resulted in a €500,000 fine for each player, left Valverde sidelined for 10-14 days due to a traumatic brain injury, ruling him out of the Camp Nou clash. Tchouaméni, however, remains available.
The midfield pivot is a key asset for Real Madrid, with Valverde valued at €120 million (10th highest globally) and Tchouaméni at €75 million. The disciplinary spat not only posed a squad management challenge but also a market conflict. In Solomon-like fashion, the Frenchman was reintegrated as if nothing had happened—for now.
Álvaro Arbeloa confirmed that Tchouaméni will be in the squad for the final Clásico of the season, a match that could be the last competitive spark for a team heading toward a second trophy-less campaign. The Salamanca-born coach, a vocal supporter of Xabi Alonso—with whom Tchouaméni shared a strong bond—has no choice but to rely on the midfielder, even if his commitment was questioned. Güler is out for the season with a hamstring injury, and Ceballos remains out of the squad by technical decision, a decision influenced more by the leaked conflict than the incident itself.
Arbeloa, who took heat for the internal leak, has only Camavinga and Bellingham as other midfield options, meaning Tchouaméni’s role is pivotal. The coach’s lineup revolves around the Frenchman, though the long-term coexistence with Valverde after his return remains an issue for the near future.
In a tense press conference, Arbeloa defended both players: “Valverde and Tchouaméni deserve to move on. They are professionals. It is absolutely false that they disrespected me or the club.” He emphasized that the incident should not overshadow their dedication. Notably, Tchouaméni is the third-most used player this season with 3,717 minutes, trailing only Valverde, who surpasses 4,000 minutes. The Uruguayan’s absence leaves a gap, but the Frenchman’s consistency—plus his role in the build-up—will be critical to avoid handing Barça the La Liga title in the Clásico.
