The Real Madrid dressing room is reportedly in turmoil ahead of a crucial El Clásico showdown, New Telegraph reports.
Tensions are said to be rising within the squad just days before their decisive clash with FC Barcelona, a match they must win to stop their rivals from sealing the La Liga title.
According to The Athletic, the atmosphere inside the Real Madrid dressing room has reportedly become increasingly toxic in recent weeks, following a series of troubling off-field incidents.
Central to the unrest are claims that Kylian Mbappé was involved in a heated training-ground dispute, during which he allegedly directed remarks at a member of the coaching staff.
The situation is said to reflect a broader breakdown within the squad. Reports also suggest that Antonio Rüdiger was involved in a separate altercation at the Valdebebas training complex in April, where tensions with teammate Álvaro Carreras escalated into a physical confrontation.
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These internal issues come at a difficult time for Madrid, who are trying to steady their domestic campaign after losing momentum in the La Liga title race.
A damaging 1–1 draw against Real Betis further dented their hopes, intensifying the pressure both on and off the pitch.
The Italy Trip
Tensions surrounding Kylian Mbappé have reportedly intensified following a controversial trip taken during his injury recovery.
The forward had been sidelined with a semitendinosus muscle issue sustained against Real Betis, but instead of maintaining a low profile, he travelled to Sardinia with his partner, actress Ester Expósito.
He was said to have returned to Madrid shortly before Real Madrid kicked off their 2–0 win over Espanyol.
The trip reportedly caused confusion and unease within the squad, while also sparking criticism online, prompting Mbappé’s camp to release an official response.
They insisted the backlash stemmed from an “over-interpretation” of a recovery period closely monitored by the club, stressing that it did not reflect the player’s commitment or daily work.
However, the statement notably stopped short of addressing reports of a training-ground confrontation with coaching staff, further fuelling scrutiny.
With pressure mounting both internally and externally, the situation has reportedly left the squad divided ahead of their crucial clash with FC Barcelona.
