Valverde and Tchouaméni have moved on from their dispute, Mourinho confirms

Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni have repaired their relationship following the serious training-ground incident that shook Real Madrid several months ago. José Mourinho says the two midfielders resolved the matter themselves and now behave like close friends inside the dressing room.

FROM A SERIOUS INCIDENT TO A WORKING RELATIONSHIP

The pair clashed during a training session in May, with Valverde sustaining a head injury and undergoing hospital checks. Real Madrid opened disciplinary proceedings against both players. Tchouaméni later issued a public apology, described the incident as unacceptable and accepted the consequences imposed by the club.

It was not a minor disagreement, and Real Madrid did not treat it as one. The important development is what followed: the players spoke, returned to work and rebuilt enough trust to function together again at the heart of the team.

MOURINHO DID NOT NEED TO PLAY PEACEMAKER

Speaking before the match against Rayo Vallecano, Mourinho said all the credit belonged to Valverde and Tchouaméni. When the French midfielder returned from the World Cup, the coach was ready to intervene if the tension remained. He quickly discovered that his involvement was unnecessary.

“If I arrived in the dressing room without knowing anything, they would look like two great friends,” Mourinho said. He praised the empathy and friendship within the squad, as well as the players’ willingness to support one another whether starting, sitting on the bench, winning or losing.

The Portuguese coach joked that he had been prepared to act as a “minister of peace”. In the end, there was no peace summit to organise. Two senior players dealt with the consequences of their actions and found a way to work together again.

REAL MADRID GET AN IMPORTANT MIDFIELD PAIR BACK

That resolution matters on the pitch. Valverde is a captain and one of Madrid’s most influential players, while Tchouaméni provides strength, tactical discipline and flexibility in midfield. Mourinho needs both of them, particularly in a side expected to compete for every major trophy.

Moving forward does not mean pretending the original incident was insignificant. It was serious, and the club responded accordingly. But the relationship no longer appears to be a source of instability. Instead of inheriting a divided midfield, Mourinho has two key players pulling in the same direction.

Real Madrid avoided a prolonged dressing-room problem without sacrificing either player. The coach deserves credit for monitoring the situation, but by his own admission, the decisive work was done by Valverde and Tchouaméni themselves.