Perez on Tchouaméni-Valverde Spat: 'Very Bad, But Leak to Media is Worse'

T.E (Elbotola)

12 May 2026at17:46

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez commented on the altercation between Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni a few days ago, stating that the worst aspect for him was the incident being leaked to the media.

During a press conference to discuss Real Madrid's situation, Perez addressed the dispute between Valverde and Tchouaméni. He said, "I see that the matter is very bad, and the worst thing is that it was leaked to the media, because over 26 years, I assure you there hasn't been a single year without an altercation between two or four players, but all of that remains within the club."

He added, "For me, this is very bad, and whoever leaked it will certainly not be happy, because they will think the matter will become public, and you will make it seem bigger than it is. Fights have happened in all the years I've been here, but they are like youthful squabbles; one kicks the other, then it's returned, and in the end, it's nothing; they become friends again. The chaos some tried to portray is terrible, and I will not accept that."

When asked whether the fight or the leak was worse, Perez replied, "For me, the leak is worse, because it suggests there's something bigger than just a fight, while the next day nothing happens, and the players are friends again, going for coffee or something similar. But the leak is the worst in my opinion. I believe that in 26 years of my career, this is the first time I've seen this, and that also worries me."

Q&A

What did Florentino Perez say about the Tchouaméni-Valverde altercation?

Florentino Perez addressed the dispute between Valverde and Tchouaméni, stating that while the incident itself was "very bad," the worst aspect for him was its leak to the media. He emphasized that such altercations are common internally.

Why did Perez consider the media leak worse than the fight?

Perez considered the media leak worse because it suggests a larger issue than a simple player disagreement, which he views as "youthful squabbles." He believes leaks create unnecessary public chaos, making incidents seem more significant.

How does Florentino Perez plan to address the leak of internal club matters?

Florentino Perez indicated that whoever leaked the incident would "certainly not be happy," suggesting internal repercussions. He stated he would not accept the portrayal of chaos and expressed worry about this being a first in his tenure.