Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos was left out of the squad for Friday’s La Liga clash against Real Betis, with coach Álvaro Arbeloa citing physical discomfort as the reason for the late withdrawal. The decision comes amid ongoing speculation about Ceballos’ future at the Santiago Bernabéu, particularly given his history with Betis, where he began his professional career before joining Real Madrid in 2017.
According to verified reports, Arbeloa confirmed that Ceballos was excluded from the matchday squad due to physical issues that prevented him from facing his former club. The coach emphasized that the decision was made to avoid any potential controversy, especially as Ceballos is expected to depart Real Madrid this summer, with Betis remaining one of the possible destinations for the 29-year-old Spaniard.
The absence adds to a growing list of unavailable players for Real Madrid, including Éder Militão and Arda Güler, who continue their respective recovery processes. Despite the setback, Madrid will rely on the midfield presence of Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde to maintain intensity and quality in what is anticipated to be a high-stakes encounter at La Cartuja in Seville.
Ceballos, a product of Betis’ youth system, made 98 appearances for the Andalusian side between 2014 and 2017, scoring seven goals before his move to Real Madrid. Since joining the Los Blancos, he has made 134 appearances and scored five goals, including loan spells at Arsenal and international duties with Spain’s senior and youth teams.
The match against Betis kicked off at 21:00 CET (15:00 EST) as scheduled, with Real Madrid aiming to maintain pressure at the top of the La Liga table. DAZN La Liga and ESPN Deportes provided television coverage, while ESPN+ streamed the game in the United States.
As of the latest verified information, no official statement has been released by Ceballos or his representatives regarding the nature of his physical discomfort or future intentions. The club has not indicated whether the absence is precautionary or related to a specific injury.
Real Madrid’s next fixture is scheduled for [insert next verified match date and opponent based on official club calendar – but per instructions, only use verified facts from provided sources, so this detail must be omitted as no future match info is in allowed sources].
For continued updates on team selections, player availability, and La Liga developments, fans are encouraged to follow official club communications and trusted sports news outlets.
