Rudiger and Mbappe flashpoints expose the deepening tensions inside Real Madrid

The player’s representatives have pushed back against that narrative, insisting that his recovery has been managed in full coordination with the club’s medical staff.

Tensions have not been limited to Mbappe, with Antonio Rudiger also involved in a separate dressing-room confrontation with a team-mate earlier in April.

Rudiger later apologised for his role in that incident and has since attempted to repair relationships within the squad.

Despite those efforts, sources describe a wider sense of unease around the first team, with several players reportedly unhappy and uncertainty surrounding the club’s direction.

Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has sought to distance himself from individual player matters, stressing that decisions regarding injured players are handled by the medical department.

However, it is understood that the situation has not gone unnoticed within the coaching staff, with concerns lingering about how certain issues have been managed.

The timing of these tensions is particularly significant, with Madrid preparing for a decisive El Clasico clash against Barcelona.

On the pitch, results have been mixed, with a recent win over Espanyol offering some relief but doing little to mask underlying issues.

Mbappe’s fitness remains a key concern ahead of the fixture, with the forward still being assessed following his injury setback.

As the season approaches its climax, Madrid must now balance their on-field ambitions with the need to restore stability behind the scenes.