Real Madrid are heading into El Clasico on Sunday in a state of complete institutional collapse. A week that began with reports of Rudiger slapping Carreras has spiralled into something far more serious — a captain hospitalised, disciplinary proceedings, an emergency crisis meeting, a squad informant, and 33 million people demanding their star player is sold. This is not a club. It is a soap opera.


VALVERDE HOSPITALISED — MISSES EL CLASICO


What began as a reported shoving match between Valverde and Tchouameni on Wednesday escalated dramatically on Thursday. Marca and AS report that Valverde refused to shake Tchouameni's hand at the start of the morning session — setting the tone for a tension-filled training. The confrontation turned physical in the dressing room after the session. Valverde was taken to hospital. Real Madrid's official statement read: "Following tests carried out today on our player Fede Valverde by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a cranioencephalic trauma. Valverde is at home in good condition and will need to rest for 10 to 14 days." Elbotola report the head injury was the result of an unintentional fall during the altercation — not a direct punch from Tchouameni. Valverde issued his own public statement: "At no time did my teammate hit me." Real Madrid have opened a formal disciplinary process against both players. Valverde is out of El Clasico. Carvajal is also absent with injury. Vinicius Jr will captain the side on Sunday.


THE EMERGENCY CRISIS CABINET


In an unprecedented move, the entire squad was kept at Valdebebas after Thursday's session for an emergency "crisis cabinet" meeting led by club General Director Jose Angel Sanchez. No players were allowed to leave until the situation was addressed internally. Marca and AS describe the atmosphere as one of "maximum alert." Arbeloa rejected a squad request to cancel Friday's training session. Real Madrid are considering strict disciplinary sanctions for both Valverde and Tchouameni — including the possibility of one being sold this summer.


VINICIUS — ARBELOA'S INFORMANT IN THE DRESSING ROOM


The Vinicius angle adds another layer to the chaos. According to beIN Sports and RadioMarca, Vinicius Junior has emerged as Arbeloa's main ally and informant inside the dressing room — feeding the coach information about squad dynamics during the most turbulent period of the season. The Brazilian has scored 13 goals since Arbeloa took charge and has rebuilt a close relationship with the interim coach after a difficult spell under Xabi Alonso. That closeness has reportedly driven a wedge between him and other senior players. Football Espana report separately that Vinicius is privately less certain of his long-term future at the club than his public statements suggest — and has told his representatives he wants changes, starting with the identity of the next head coach, before committing to a renewal. He will captain Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday.


MBAPPE PETITION HITS 33 MILLION — AND HE IS A DOUBT FOR SUNDAY


The petition titled "Mbappe Out" has gathered over 33 million signatures by Thursday morning — started the week with a target of 200,000. Le Parisien report that security experts believe bots using AI tools may be inflating the figure, and Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol questioned whether the numbers can be taken at face value. That said, the symbolic scale of the backlash is undeniable. Mbappe was photographed on a yacht in Sardinia with his girlfriend Ester Exposito while recovering from a hamstring injury — just days before El Clasico. Images of his face stamped with "Fuera" circulated across social media. Arbeloa said this week: "Real Madrid was built with players whose shirts end up covered in mud, sweat and effort" — widely read as a dig at the Sardinia trip. Reports also emerged of Mbappe confronting a coaching staff member during training and liking — then quickly unliking — a post linking Jose Mourinho to the head coach position. Mbappe is a fitness doubt for Sunday. He is under contract until 2029 and virtually certain to stay regardless of the petition. He has scored 85 goals in 100 games for Madrid and leads the UCL scoring chart with 15 goals this season.


THE BIGGER PICTURE


Valverde out. Carvajal out. Mbappe a doubt. Militao, Guler, Camavinga all injured. A trophyless season confirmed. Disciplinary proceedings against their own captain. The dressing room described as a powder keg. And on Sunday, Barcelona need just a draw at Camp Nou to be crowned La Liga champions — against a Real Madrid side that is falling apart at the seams. Mourinho is reportedly the frontrunner to replace Arbeloa this summer. Whatever happens next, this week will define how this era of Real Madrid is remembered.