Fresh reports of a fight in Real Madrid’s dressing room as Mbappé’s conduct fuels tension

Reports of fresh unrest in Real Madrid's dressing room surfaced on October 8, 2026, as the club faces renewed questions about the mood inside the squad under José Mourinho.

According to journalists who have followed the story, two first-team players were reportedly involved in a physical altercation recently; their identities have not been released. Reporter Anton Meana says the overall atmosphere in the locker room remains tense.

The episode has revived memories of late last season, when an alleged confrontation between Fede Valverde and Tchouaméni dominated headlines while the team failed to win silverware. Club president Florentino Perez reportedly turned to Mourinho believing the Portuguese coach would first "extinguish the fire" among players with his authority and then restore trophies to the Santiago Bernabéu.

Mbappé's recovery and behaviour under scrutiny

Kylian Mbappé has contributed to the nervousness. He left the France squad after scoring a late winner against Turkey in the Nations League; the French Football Federation said he suffered a tendon injury. Mbappé has since returned to training and is expected to be available for Real Madrid's weekend fixture against Villarreal.

Mourinho was reportedly unhappy with how his biggest star handled recovery from that injury. Before rejoining the squad in Madrid, Mbappé was seen in a Paris nightclub and later rode a bicycle in the Swiss Alps — activities Mourinho had explicitly banned for his players last month. The coach is said to have held a serious conversation with Mbappé on his return, telling him to be more careful with off-field behaviour.

On the pitch, Real have won five of their first seven La Liga matches under Mourinho, suffered two defeats and already sit six points behind Barcelona.

Photo: press material from the event