Real Madrid Fine Tchouameni and Valverde 500,000 Euros Over Bust-up

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde, right, celebrates with Aurelien Tchouameni after scoring his side's opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid at the Vallecas stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP)
Real Madrid's Federico Valverde, right, celebrates with Aurelien Tchouameni after scoring his side's opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid at the Vallecas stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP)
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Real Madrid Fine Tchouameni and Valverde 500,000 Euros Over Bust-up

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde, right, celebrates with Aurelien Tchouameni after scoring his side's opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid at the Vallecas stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP)
Real Madrid's Federico Valverde, right, celebrates with Aurelien Tchouameni after scoring his side's opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid at the Vallecas stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP)

Real Madrid announced on Friday they had fined Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde 500,000 euros ($588,000) each after a training ground clash that left the latter needing hospital treatment.

The club did not impose any sporting sanctions on the two players, saying in a statement that the fine "thereby concludes the internal procedures" launched against them.

Valverde will miss Sunday's Clasico against Barcelona as a result of the head injury he suffered during the altercation. The club said he would be out for up to two weeks.

Tchouameni took part in training on Friday and could feature at Camp Nou this weekend.

Madrid said both players "expressed their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to each other" while taking part in a club investigation.

"They extended their apologies to the club, their teammates, the coaching staff, and the fans, and both have made themselves available to Real Madrid to accept whatever sanction the club deems appropriate," read a club statement.

Uruguay international Valverde was accompanied to the hospital facility near the club's Valdebebas training complex by Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa, according to Spanish reports, which said the player needed stitches to treat a facial wound.

Valverde sought to downplay the severity of the altercation with the France midfielder.

"The strain of the competition and frustration caused the situation to escalate," Valverde wrote on social media, expressing regret at the media coverage of the incident.

"I accidentally hit a table during the argument, causing a small cut on my forehead that required a routine visit to the hospital," he said.

"At no point did my team-mate hit me, and I didn't hit him either."

According to reports the two players rowed on Wednesday in training and their argument continued on Thursday during and after the session.

Spanish media reported Valverde refused to shake Tchouameni's hand and later fouled him in Thursday's training session, with the pair scrapping afterwards in the dressing room when the injury occurred.

Tensions are running high at Real Madrid with the club on the verge of a second consecutive season without a major trophy.

Los Blancos trail Barca by 11 points at the top of La Liga, with Hansi Flick's side able to clinch back-to-back league titles on Sunday if they do not lose.



Cristiano Ronaldo Says He Can Still Score for Portugal Though Knows Critics Want Him Out of Team

Portugal's Renato Veiga (L), Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Dalot (R) during a training session ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against Wales at Cidade do Futebol, Oeiras, Portugal, 23 September 2026. (EPA)
Portugal's Renato Veiga (L), Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Dalot (R) during a training session ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against Wales at Cidade do Futebol, Oeiras, Portugal, 23 September 2026. (EPA)
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Cristiano Ronaldo Says He Can Still Score for Portugal Though Knows Critics Want Him Out of Team

Portugal's Renato Veiga (L), Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Dalot (R) during a training session ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against Wales at Cidade do Futebol, Oeiras, Portugal, 23 September 2026. (EPA)
Portugal's Renato Veiga (L), Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Dalot (R) during a training session ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against Wales at Cidade do Futebol, Oeiras, Portugal, 23 September 2026. (EPA)

Cristiano Ronaldo weighed ending his Portugal career after the World Cup and acknowledged Wednesday some critics at home want him out of the team.

The 41-year-old Ronaldo was confirmed by coach Jorge Jesus as a starter for this 234th Portugal game — on Thursday against Wales in the Nations League.

Asked at a pre-game news conference if he thought of stopping his international career in July, after Portugal's round-of-16 loss to Spain, Ronaldo said: “Yes, I did. Of course, I’m always thinking on my decisions, my future, the present also.”

“I had a conversation with our president, with our coach,” he said of Jesus, whose previous job was leading Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr to the Saudi league title in May. “I still believe that I’m able to help the national team to reach what they want, and will finish when I feel like I’m not doing anything here.”

Ronaldo, who captained Portugal to the previous Nations League title in 2025, is closing in on 1,000 career goals.

“This is a new young generation,” he said. “But for me the basic point is to be able on the pitch to score the goals and to help the team win games.”

The superstar player is not universally still admired in his home country.

“I feel the Portuguese fans like me, but I do understand that some TV channels want to criticize me,” he said. “They are dying for me not to come to the national team any more, but I can still move away from it.

“Anyway, I am used to it. For over 20 years I have been doing this, but my memories are with people who love me. I know why young kids love Cristiano, because they see me as an example, and I will continue to do that. Even when I am retired... in 10 years,” Ronaldo said, smiling.


Aguirre Hired by Valencia after Latest Coaching Stint with Mexico at World Cup

FILE - Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre gestures during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)
FILE - Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre gestures during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)
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Aguirre Hired by Valencia after Latest Coaching Stint with Mexico at World Cup

FILE - Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre gestures during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)
FILE - Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre gestures during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)

Valencia hired former Mexico coach Javier Aguirre on Wednesday on a one-year deal, completing an early-season reconstruction of the club’s soccer operations after a poor start in La Liga.

The 67-year-old Aguirre has just finished a third spell in charge of Mexico, leading his national team to the last 16 of the World Cup before losing to England.

He has previously been coach at six Spanish clubs, including Atletico Madrid and most recently Mallorca from 2022-24.

Aguirre replaces Carlos Corberán, who was fired on Sept. 14 after Valencia lost four of its first five games, and has a deal until the end of the season.

The team is in next-to-last place in La Liga on four points from seven matches, The Associated Press reported.

When firing Corberán, Valencia also removed soccer chief executive Ron Gourlay. It has since appointed Braulio Vázquez as the new sporting director.


Hadjar Extends Red Bull Contract for 2027 F1 Season

FILED - 22 September 2026, Hungary, Mogyorod: French Formula One driver Isack Hadjar of Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives at the paddock ahead of 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire/dpa
FILED - 22 September 2026, Hungary, Mogyorod: French Formula One driver Isack Hadjar of Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives at the paddock ahead of 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire/dpa
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Hadjar Extends Red Bull Contract for 2027 F1 Season

FILED - 22 September 2026, Hungary, Mogyorod: French Formula One driver Isack Hadjar of Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives at the paddock ahead of 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire/dpa
FILED - 22 September 2026, Hungary, Mogyorod: French Formula One driver Isack Hadjar of Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives at the paddock ahead of 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire/dpa

Frenchman Isack Hadjar will continue to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull for the 2027 Formula One season, the team announced on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old has impressed in his debut year at the team after being promoted following a strong rookie campaign with its junior outfit Racing Bulls in 2025.

Hadjar has missed the last three races with a wrist injury, but still sits eighth in the drivers' standings with 71 points.

He posted a run of seven consecutive top-six finishes, including a podium in Monaco, before being sidelined.

"There are so many talented people at the factory, and you're aware of the privilege of driving for such an incredible team alongside a four-time world champion like Max," AFP quoted Hadjar as saying in a statement.

"I've been able to justify the faith they've had in me. I'm constantly looking to listen, learn and push myself further every single day, which only makes me more excited about what lies ahead."

Hadjar will return to action this weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Partnering Verstappen, who recently extended his contract until 2030, at Red Bull has proved a tough job for several other drivers in recent seasons.

Sergio Perez was dropped after finishing 285 points behind the Dutchman in 2024, while Liam Lawson was axed after just two races last year and replaced by Yuki Tsunoda.

"He (Hadjar) has been superb on and off track, especially considering this is only his second Formula One season, which made extending his contract an easy decision," said Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies.

"The period since his injury has been a difficult one for Isack, but this extension is a testament to how much we believe in him and we can't wait to see him back out on track."