Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has denied any personal issues with team captain Dani Carvajal, stating his recent comments were in response to a question he deemed inappropriate. Speaking ahead of the team’s match against Betis, Arbeloa addressed ongoing speculation about his relationship with the veteran right-back.
“My response the other day was curt and serious, to a question I found out of place; it wasn’t about Dani Carvajal,” Arbeloa said during the press conference. “You can see my responses whenever I talk about him; inquire my players how I speak about him in front of the group. You’re trying to set me in a difficult position in this unfair situation.”
The manager emphasized his positive relationship with Carvajal, noting the defender’s readiness for international competition. “He’s more than ready to go to the World Cup, I’m happy with him, and I think he should be just as key to the national team.”
Arbeloa reiterated his consistent treatment of Carvajal, stating he has always shown the player affection, respect, and admiration. He rejected suggestions that his selection decisions are based on personal motives, arguing that all coaches make lineup choices for footballing reasons.
“It’s very simple, only 11 players can play. It’s not that they can’t play. There are many I’m being unfair to, but I know how well they train. That’s all there is to it,” Arbeloa explained when discussing playing time allocations.
The manager also provided updates on other squad matters. Regarding defender Eder Militao’s injury, Arbeloa stated the issue does not appear serious but confirmed a magnetic resonance imaging scan would be conducted for a precise diagnosis.
Arbeloa expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to handle fatigue ahead of the upcoming World Cup, noting the team’s commitment remains strong. He highlighted the contributions of youth academy players, pointing to their performances in the Youth League and with Castilla as evidence of their readiness for the first team.
When asked about Vinicius Junior potentially apologizing for his actions, Arbeloa redirected the question to the player himself, stating he feels privileged to have the winger on the team and expects him to perform well in the upcoming match.
The manager dismissed the significance of Kylian Mbappé’s social media interaction with Jose Mourinho, stating it holds no importance to him regardless of who receives such engagement.
Regarding La Liga title hopes, Arbeloa focused on maximizing points in remaining matches, emphasizing the team’s responsibility to win each game regardless of Barcelona’s results.
The team’s next match is against Betis, with the focus on securing a positive result as they aim to maximize points in the final stretch of the season.
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