Aurelién Tchouaméni, after 'abandoning Real Madrid' for an NBA game in Paris, has apologised on social media and expressed regret for the events in a message addressed to the club's fans.
Just a few minutes after the news broke about his presence in the French capital for a basketball game, the midfielder said sorry in a tweet.
"I apologise to my club, the coaching staff, my teammates and the Madrid fans for my presence at an event at a time when we were playing in the Copa del Rey," he wrote.
"I was following at all times what was happening in Villarreal, but I did not do the right thing. I am very sorry".
The image of Tchouaméni at the Chicago Bulls v. Destroit Pistons game went viral at the same time that his team fell 2-0 against Villareal at the Estadio de la Cerámica, a match that Madrid would later end up turning around to book their place in the quarterfinal of the cup competition.
Tchouaméni is recovering from a calf injury that kept him out of the Spanish Super Cup a few days ago and will keep him away from the pitch until further medical notice from Real Madrid.