Cameroon legend Geremi defends Real Madrid fall from grace

Madrid have recorded their second successive trophyless campaign after early elimination from the Copa del Rey, loss in the Spanish Super Cup to Barca, and a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal exit at the hands of Bayern Munich.

Geremi, who spent three seasons at the Galacticos from 1999 to 2002, believes the recent training ground bust-up between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni is merely due to the on-field results causing frustration in the dressing room.

"When you listen or you read on social media, everywhere, I heard about the fight between Valverde and Tchouameni, this stems from frustration. Normally if Real Madrid was on track to win the title this kind of story would not come out. It's coming out because of the frustration that we have not won anything,” Njitap said.

“Again, it is not easy to control 28, 29 young guys that is why it is important to have a strong man to lead that kind of team. A manager who can control these egos, I'm telling you I don't know if you are a father or whatever but when you are a leader or responsible to control kids coming from different cities, different countries with different cultures, it's not easy. 

“You need someone very strong to control these egos, once you have that guy, for sure [you'll win] because to play in Real Madrid, it's always the biggest players. You're not gonna be there to teach them how to pass, how to score goals, no, you just have to be there to manage the egos."

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Reports surfaced on Thursday after a physical confrontation between Tchouameni and Velvarde led to the latter being ruled out for up to two weeks, with the club confirming he had gone to hospital with a traumatic brain injury. 

Both players were subsequently fined €500 000 (approx. R9.7 million).

The former Cameroon international, with 119 caps to his name, still keeps close tabs on the Spanish giants and believes changes are afoot ahead of the 2026/27 season.

"There will be a lot of changes. I've heard a lot of things about next season but with my experience there will be some changes. Today after this match I think there will be a lot of things decided for sure,” he added.