Real Madrid enter the final stretch of the campaign praying for a miracle as they look to bridge the daunting gap to Barcelona at the top of the table. Speaking ahead of the encounter with Alaves, Arbeloa appeared unfazed by speculation regarding his own position.

"Those are matters for the club. I am in constant communication with them every week and we enjoy a fantastic relationship, but the only future that concerns me is tomorrow's match. We have seven games remaining that carry more weight than people might think. We have to prove our worth. My future doesn't worry me in the slightest."

Arbeloa was quick to reinforce the stature of Real Madrid: "This is the club where success is the norm. There are moments when things don't go our way, but the mentality here is always to look forward. At Real Madrid, losing is never acceptable, but neither is simply winning; we understand the standards of this club and we must always look ahead. We have to win all seven of our remaining fixtures."

"Regarding our form, we certainly have scope for improvement in the league based on recent years. I believe that in recent months, we have performed better in the big fixtures than against the so-called lesser opponents. If we look at these past three months, there is plenty of room to grow. However, we have also faced circumstances, such as against Girona, that suggest it is easier for Real Madrid to win a Champions League than a domestic title," he remarked, hinting at frustrations with officiating.

Breaking his silence since the club's European elimination, Arbeloa added: "I consider myself a person of great mental strength and energy. I have felt the pride of the Madridistas following the team's performance on Wednesday. I expect a united, family atmosphere at the Bernabeu, with fans proud of how the team played. The general feeling among the supporters is that we were denied a place in the semi-finals."

Indeed, Eduardo Camavinga was at the heart of the drama, having been sent off against Bayern: "He is hurting, as we all are. It was a very serious refereeing error. It is clear the official didn't realise he wasn't already on a booking, and I believe that is a big mistake. Even without a prior card, a decision like that heavily influences a player in a match of that magnitude. Camavinga is devastated because he understands what the Champions League means to Real Madrid. He has my full confidence, the club's backing, and the affection of the fans. Hopefully, he will be here for many years to come."

"I am not concerned about potential whistles because I have sensed on the streets that the Real Madrid faithful are fully behind this team. We need to put in a strong performance and earn the applause of the Bernabeu. We must go out there and set the tone from the first whistle," Arbeloa stated.

Another focal point was Arda Guler, following his impressive brace. "It has been an incredibly intense three months. We have developed a great rapport. When I arrived, there were claims he couldn't deliver in the big games, yet look at the knockout ties he has produced against Bayern and City. I have always seen his talent, his hunger, and his work rate. It is to his credit that he has learned from his mistakes along the way. He is a player destined for greatness, but he is already delivering in the present."

Arbeloa was also questioned on his management of the dressing room: "I don't feel like there is a 'buddy-buddy' dynamic. I believe I have maintained a healthy relationship with the squad. I don't understand football any other way. That doesn't mean I'm not demanding or that I can't push them. It’s a dynamic you have to accept as a player. Even in the difficult moments, the atmosphere in the dressing room has remained excellent."

"I cannot fault any of Mbappe's actions. He had an outstanding knockout tie and made a huge defensive sacrifice for the team. We review our matches multiple times, and I am delighted with the tie Kylian played. He was a constant threat to Bayern, and that is the Mbappe we want to see every day," Arbeloa concluded.

07 Nov2023	Real Madrid	-	Renewal
31 Aug2021	Stade Rennais	Real Madrid	€31M
01 Jan2019	Stade Rennais II	Stade Rennais	Free transfer
01 Jul2018	Stade Rennais Academy	Stade Rennais II	Free transfer

E. Camavinga

Transfer History