National Team of Real Madrid Star Going Through Serious Tension

Later on tonight - well at 02:00 CET - Real Madrid stars Marc Cucurella and Federico Valverde will face off in Group H, as Spain take on Uruguay. 

After a shock draw to Cape Verde in their first game, Spain got back to business in their second game with a thumping 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia to take control of the group. 

However, things have not been so rosy for Uruguay, who are still yet to win either of their two games, drawing 1-1 and 2-2 with the same opponents. This has lead to them needing at least a draw in this game to qualify for the knockout stages, something that feels unlikely at this stage. 

Although it is clear that the inaugural World Champions have some very talented players, it has been clear for a while that not is all well in the camp and with manager Marcelo Bielsa. 

Well, recent reports would suggest exactly that. Indeed so, as ESPN Uruguay are reporting that Valverde and three other first team players met with Bielsa to tell him that they "can't stand" his training methods. 

As per the report, they all believe the coach is putting too much pressure on them, and they are demanding a counter attacking style of play in the game against Spain tonight. 

They also complained about the intensity of the training sessions, and the injuries they have caused to some of the Uruguay players. Meanwhile, El Espectador Deportes have said the same things, whilst also adding even more. 

According to them, after the players complained to Bielsa, he gathered the entire squad and spoke to them for 48 minutes whilst "looking at the floor", accusing certain players of trying to get him sacked twice. 

Meanwhile, Bielsa also said that he "made the careers" of certain players, and insisted they should play man-to-man in the clash with Spain. He ended the meeting by saying he called up injured players to the World Cup because they were "loyal to him." 

Well, blimey. Some cynical people may suggest that Valverde is the common denominator, after what happened with Real Madrid team mate Aurelien Tchouameni at the end of last season. However, it is clear he is not the only person to take issues with Bielsa. 

This has also been going on for quite a while. After Luis Suarez retired from international football in 2024, he called a press conference specifically to call out Bielsa. Ever since then, things have not gone quite right. The Uruguayan players were always going to side with a national team legend over an Argentinian.