Luis Figo Addresses Real Madrid Dressing Room Tension Ahead of El Clásico

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 08: Luis Figo, LALIGA Legend answers questions during the launch of the global partnership between Duracell and LALIGA, naming Duracell the Official Partner of Added Time on May 08, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images for Duracell) | Getty Images for Duracell

Luis Figo weighed in on Real Madrid’s recent dressing room tension during an event hosted by La Liga and Duracell, offering his perspective on the reported altercation involving Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni.

The former Madrid winger acknowledged that the situation was not ideal but stressed that emotional incidents are not uncommon inside high-pressure environments like Real Madrid.

“They both have too much energy,” Figo said. “It’s not normal, and it shouldn’t happen within a team environment. But it won’t be the first or the last time something like this happens.”

Figo suggested that frustration surrounding results and expectations can sometimes push players beyond the emotional limits normally expected inside a dressing room.

“When frustration builds, players can react in abnormal ways,” he explained. “I can’t really add much more because Real Madrid has already released a statement on the matter.”

The comments arrive during a tense period for Madrid as scrutiny around the squad has intensified ahead of another Clásico against Barcelona. Internal disagreements at Valdebebas have dominated headlines in recent days, although several figures connected to the club have attempted to downplay the seriousness of the situation.

Figo also shifted focus toward the magnitude of El Clásico itself, emphasizing that the rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona transcends football.