Report: Real Madrid players want change in captaincy

Real Madrid players are reportedly urging the club hierarchy to overhaul their traditional captaincy structure, demanding a transition from their seniority-based rule to a democratic squad vote.

According to reports from Diario AS, the dressing room is dissatisfied with the current system, which dictates that the longest-serving player automatically inherits the armband regardless of their actual leadership capabilities.

This push for a voting system is reportedly aimed at blocking current vice-captain Federico Valverde from automatically taking over the primary leadership role. 

With current skipper Dani Carvajal having lost his starting spot under manager Álvaro Arbeloa and rumoured to be departing the Santiago Bernabéu this summer, Valverde is officially next in line. 

However, the squad reportedly feels the Uruguayan midfielder has completely lost the respect of his peers and is unfit to lead.

The dressing room opposition against Valverde is underscored by his recent training ground altercation with teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni. 

The bust-up at the Valdebebas complex, which resulted in Valverde suffering a head injury and both players receiving record-breaking €500,000 disciplinary fines, has sparked questions about his authority.