Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni has broken his silence on the much-discussed altercation with club teammate Federico Valverde, insisting the incident was far less serious than reports suggested.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the story emerged, Tchouaméni said the dressing-room confrontation between the two players had been blown out of proportion, dismissing the narrative that a significant rift had developed within the squad.

The France international's comments are likely to ease concerns among Real Madrid supporters, who had been following reports of tension between the two midfielders with growing unease.