Álvaro Arbeloa during the Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
/ Enric Fontcuberta / EFE
The season is over, but the pain is not, Álvaro Arbeloa believes.
The defeat against Barcelona not only confirmed the Catalan side’s league title but also offered a symbolic image of Real Madrid’s collapse: the absence of Kylian Mbappé. The French striker was unable to play in the decisive match and once again found himself under scrutiny amid a season plagued by injuries, physical doubts, and a sense of collective disconnection. When asked about it, Arbeloa delivered a measured yet telling statement: “I would have liked him to be at 100% and to have been able to start the match.”
Acknowledging Barcelona’s superiority, the coach also did not guarantee Mbappé’s return before the end of La Liga. “I don’t know. There are two weeks left. Depending on how he recovers from the discomfort he has right now, we will see if he can play or not,” Arbeloa explained, fueling both internal and external debate surrounding the team. The Frenchman did nothing better than posting ‘Hala Madrid’ and a photo of the match when it was already 2-0. Another gesture that, according to his entourage, will be misinterpreted, but which reflects his disconnect from the Real Madrid world.
Álvaro Arbeloa at Camp Nou.
/ Valentí Enrich
Arbeloa appeared with a serious expression after a match that was decided early on. “It’s a game that became uphill too soon,” he explained. The Madrid coach acknowledged Barcelona’s tactical superiority and lamented his team’s lack of reaction. “They are very good when they take the lead; they know how to manage positions, floating around… They are a very well-drilled team,” he noted. He also considered it key not to have taken advantage of the early chances: “It’s a pity we didn’t score from any of the opportunities we had, even at 2-0.”
The defeat also left another telling image: the lack of fight from a Madrid that ultimately surrendered to the season’s reality. Arbeloa defended his players’ effort while admitting the emotional blow. “It was not an easy scenario for the players at all. I asked them to give their all until the end, and that’s what we tried to do.” He also explained Dean Huijsen’s late withdrawal. “He wanted to play, but he didn’t have much strength. He felt weak during the warm-up, and it was my decision,” he revealed.
“We Will Likely Have a Conversation”
One of the most tense moments of the press conference came when he was asked about his future. Arbeloa did not rule out an imminent conversation with the club after losing the league. “We will likely have a conversation, as is normal,” he admitted. However, he wanted to focus on closing out the season: “Right now, what I want is for the team to finish well and not give up in these three matches. That’s where I will put my focus in these two weeks. As for what the future holds, we will see.”
Beyond the Clásico result, the coach offered a deep diagnosis of the team’s problems. “We collectively need to take a step forward, have a much clearer idea of what we want to do, put the collective ahead of the individual… For me, that is the foundation,” he reflected. Arbeloa especially lamented the points dropped against inferior opponents: “You can lose against Barcelona, but there are many matches that should not have slipped away as they did.”
The coach also protested a controversial incident involving Bellingham. “It seemed clear to me that there was an elbow. We’ll have to ask why the VAR didn’t get involved,” he commented before congratulating the champions: “Congratulations to Barcelona for winning the league in a match that turned in their favor very early.” With the championship lost, Arbeloa wanted to send a final message of competitive pride for the remainder of the campaign.
