Online Reporter
The crisis at Real Madrid has deepened — with the identity of Antonio Rudiger’s ‘slap’ victim now revealed.
The combative German reportedly had to be separated from his team-mate as they clashed at the training ground.
Rudiger ‘lost his mind’ during the bust-up two weeks ago following their 1-1 draw with Real Betis and the player on the receiving end was Alvaro Carreras, according to reports in Spain.
They also state that the ex-Man United and Benfica man’s commitment has come under scrutiny from coaches.
Carreras, 23, has now put out a statement about the altercation, writing: ‘In recent days, certain insinuations and comments have emerged about me that do not reflect reality.
“My commitment to this club and to the coaches I have worked with has been absolute from day one, and it will continue to be so. Since I returned, I have always worked with the utmost professionalism, respect and dedication. I have fought very hard to fulfil my dream of coming back home.‘Regarding the incident with a team-mate, it was an isolated matter without importance that has already been resolved. My relationship with the entire team is very good.”
According to the Athletic, Rudiger apologised and made amends by taking out the players and their families for a meal last Friday.
The flashpoint between Rudiger and Carreras is the latest off-the-pitch incident in a disastrous season for Real and the dressing room appears divided. Star man Kylian Mbappe has been the subject of criticism in recent weeks, with the 27-year-old reportedly involved in a heated argument with a member of manager Alvaro Arbeloa’s staff during a training session.
Mbappe spoke angrily and in insulting terms towards the assistant, who was acting as a referee during a training match.
The incident is understood to have contributed to a worsening of the mood between Mbappe and Madrid.The injured star was also criticised for taking a holiday on a luxury yacht with his new girlfriend Ester Exposito, while his team-mates prepare to face Barcelona this weekend in El Clasico — in which they could lose the LaLiga title for a second season running.
More than 250,000 angry Madrid fans have signed a petition calling for Mbappe to leave the club in what has been a miserable two-season spell since he joined for free from Paris Saint-Germain. In that time, Mbappe and Madrid have failed to win a major trophy.
But Mbappe has hit back at his critics in emphatic fashion. A spokesperson told AFP: ‘Part of the criticisms are based on an overinterpretation of elements related to a recovery period strictly supervised by the club.
‘This is NOT corresponding to the reality of the commitment and the work that Kylian does daily for the good of the team.’—Daily Mail
Mathew Masinge