Pathe Ciss refuses to train as Rayo Vallecano's crisis deepens
Synopsis
Rayo Vallecano's summer is unravelling fast. With their stadium out of action, two key defenders sold, and now Pathe Ciss staging a training boycott to force through a move, the Madrid club faces a genuine squad crisis — all while Barcelona opened their title defence with a ruthless 5-0 away win.
Key Takeaways
Pathe Ciss , 32, reportedly refused to train with Rayo Vallecano 's first team on Monday, 24 August .
Ciss has attracted offers from clubs in the Premier League , Türkiye , and Saudi Arabia ; his release clause stands at €10 million .
Rayo are also unable to play at Vallecas Stadium due to urgent refurbishment works.
Defenders Nobel Mendy (Hull City) and Pep Chavarria (Chelsea) have already left, generating around €35 million — none of which has been reinvested.
FC Barcelona opened their La Liga title defence with a 5-0 win at Elche , with Raphinha scoring twice and Fermin Lopez netting a brace.
Rayo Vallecano midfielder Pathe Ciss reportedly refused to join first-team training on Monday, 24 August, intensifying the Spanish club's turbulent summer as the Senegal international pushes for a transfer before the window shuts. The standoff adds fresh pressure on a club already grappling with stadium unavailability and a thinning squad.
Why Ciss Is Pushing for the Exit
Ciss, 32, is contracted at Rayo Vallecano until June 2027 and carries a release clause of €10 million (approximately $11.7 million). Despite that security, the midfielder has reportedly attracted offers from clubs in the Premier League, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia, where significantly higher wages are on the table. Rayo have so far declined to entertain negotiations over his departure.
According to Spanish media reports, Ciss did not participate in the Monday morning session, a move widely interpreted as a deliberate attempt to force the club's hand ahead of the transfer deadline. The versatile player — capable of operating in central midfield or as a defender — joined Rayo in the summer of 2021 and has accumulated 181 appearances for the Madrid-based side, while earning 34 international caps for Senegal.
A Club Already Under Strain
The Ciss situation is far from Rayo's only headache this window. The club is currently unable to use their home ground, Vallecas Stadium, due to urgent refurbishment works — a logistical disruption with the new La Liga season already underway. The squad has also been significantly weakened by the departures of central defender Nobel Mendy to Hull City and left-back Pep Chavarria to Chelsea.
Those two sales reportedly generated around €35 million in combined transfer fees — funds that the club has yet to reinvest in new signings. A potential Ciss sale would bring in further revenue via his release clause, but would simultaneously open another significant hole in an already stretched squad.
Barcelona's Title Defence Begins in Style
Elsewhere in La Liga, FC Barcelona launched their title defence with a commanding 5-0 victory away to Elche on Sunday. Raphinha opened the scoring from the penalty spot before debutant Karim Adeyemi doubled the lead before half-time, assisted by Raphinha.
New arrival Anthony Gordon came off the bench in the second half and set up Raphinha's second goal as well as a tap-in for Fermin Lopez. Lopez then capped the rout with an impressive individual effort in the 79th minute to complete the 5-0 scoreline.
What Happens Next
With the transfer window set to close shortly, Rayo face a difficult decision: hold firm on Ciss and risk continued training disruption, or sanction a sale that would bring funds but deepen their squad crisis. How the club navigates the next few days could define their entire season.
Point of View
Then losing leverage over those who remain when better-paying leagues come calling. Ciss is under contract until 2027, yet the club's refusal to spend the €35 million raised from Mendy and Chavarria has left the dressing room with little reason to believe in the club's ambition. A training boycott is rarely an isolated act — it is usually the visible tip of a deeper breakdown in trust between player and management. Rayo's silence on incomings, combined with a stadium ban, makes this one of the more precarious starts to a La Liga season for any club outside the relegation zone.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Pathe Ciss refused to train at Rayo Vallecano?
Ciss reportedly refused to join first-team training on 24 August to pressure Rayo Vallecano into accepting transfer offers before the window closes. He has attracted interest from Premier League, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabian clubs, where he could earn a significantly higher salary.
What is Pathe Ciss's release clause and contract status?
Ciss is under contract at Rayo Vallecano until June 2027 and has a release clause of €10 million (approximately $11.7 million). Rayo have so far refused to negotiate his departure despite the incoming offers.
What other problems is Rayo Vallecano facing this season?
Rayo cannot use their Vallecas Stadium due to urgent refurbishment works. They have also lost central defender Nobel Mendy to Hull City and left-back Pep Chavarria to Chelsea, raising around €35 million — none of which has been spent on new signings.
How many appearances has Ciss made for Rayo Vallecano?
Ciss has made 181 appearances for Rayo Vallecano since joining in the summer of 2021. He has also earned 34 caps for the Senegal national team.
How did Barcelona start their La Liga title defence?
FC Barcelona began their La Liga title defence with a 5-0 away win over Elche on Sunday. Raphinha scored twice, Karim Adeyemi netted on debut, and Fermin Lopez added two goals, with new signing Anthony Gordon contributing two assists from the bench.
