Maybe we should send José Mourinho to the Middle East, he is about to announce an impossible peace in Real Madrid’s dressing room.
The Portuguese coach’s hand is already visible – Uruguayan Federico Valverde and Frenchman Aurélien Tchouaméni bury the hatchet.
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José Mourinho has intervened in the conflict between Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni before the start of LaLiga, and has set the terms for how they will coexist as Real Madrid players. The coach does not demand a personal friendship, but professionalism – and that all disagreements are subordinated to the club’s interests.
Mourinho has spent his first few months in the dressing room getting to grips with what happened last season. One of the cases he wanted to clarify was precisely the clash between Valverde and Tchouaméni – which resulted in internal disciplinary measures.
Playing on the same team!
José Mourinho sets the rules for Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni
Mourinho’s approach is to end the episode without forcing the midfielders to become friends off the pitch. His demand is about professional conduct – and getting the best out of both when they enter the grass in the white jersey.
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The coach has already spoken to both Tchouaméni and Valverde to convey this message. The priority is clear: the incident from the 2025/26 season should not affect the team’s sporting machinery in the new season.
Real Madrid will not start the La Liga season until August 26, when they will host Real Sociedad.
Mourinho already explained when he arrived that he wanted to get to know the players personally before taking a position on inherited conflicts. He wanted to listen to the parties and have internal insight – rather than relying on the versions that circulated in the media in the previous months.
The conflict arose towards the end of the previous campaign and ended with consequences for both players. Now, with a new coach and a new season just around the corner, the episode is considered over – as long as it doesn’t impair the team’s performance.
Real Madrid demands more responsibility from Valverde
José Mourinho has also given Fede Valverde a clear message about his new role in the dressing room. The Uruguayan is now the first captain of Real Madrid – a position that increases responsibility both in matches and in everyday life.
Over the years in Madrid, Valverde has shared the dressing room with profiles such as Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric and Casemiro – all leading leadership figures. Mourinho expects Valverde to continue his legacy as captain.
The midfielder himself has publicly stated that the disagreement with Tchouaméni has been resolved. Valverde admitted that the incident taught him how to mature – and emphasized the support he received both from the club and from the fans.
Valverde and Tchouaméni condemned to understand each other
Mourinho makes the impossible happen
The case is closed just before the last test before the start of the series. Real Madrid face Schalke 04 on Sunday before LaLiga kicks off – a match that gives Mourinho the opportunity to continue to define his roles in midfield.
However, Tchouaméni is struggling with a muscle injury that has affected his preparations recently. How the Frenchman’s physical fitness is handled will be an extra challenge for the support staff before the first official matches.
The next step for José Mourinho will be to translate these internal rules into matches. With Valverde as first captain and Tchouaméni well integrated into the sporting plans, Mourinho considers the conflict of the past to be over – as long as both show the professionalism required when Real Madrid play for points.
