Real Madrid manager has dismissed suggestions of a rift between him and the club’s most experienced defender
Alvaro Arbeloa has dismissed suggestions of any conflict with captain Dani Carvajal after recent team selections saw him prefer Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Carvajal has spent much of the season dealing with injuries, including a knee problem that kept him out for over two months. His reduced minutes has raised questions over his role going into this summer’s World Cup, where he faces competition for a Spain squad place.
Alexander-Arnold has started Real Madrid’s recent games against Manchester City, Mallorca, Bayern Munich and Alaves, while Carvajal has featured in games against Elche, Atletico Madrid and Girona.
Following Madrid’s 2-1 win over Alaves, Arbeloa’s brief response to a question about the situation sparked speculation over his relationship with Carvajal. He addressed the issue ahead of Madrid’s game against Real Betis.
“It was a short, serious answer to a question I thought was out of place,” Arbeloa said in a press conference on Thursday ahead of Madrid’s game at Real Betis.
“It wasn’t short based on Dani Carvajal. You can see, since I’ve been here, what my answers have been about him, and you can ask my players how I speak about Dani Carvajal with the group.
“People are trying to put an unjustified, unfair spin on this. He’s more than ready to go to the World Cup. He’s started games for us, and he’s done well. He’s a fundamental player, on and off the pitch, and for the national team it should be the same. He might be the most important academy product in the history of the club.
“I’ve always had a great relationship with him. It’s hard for me to believe any coach would pick a team for non-sporting reasons.”
Arbeloa said both players have contributed when selected.
“Trent Alexander-Arnold is showing a great level,” Arbeloa said. “His performance is beyond doubt. Right now he deserves to play, and when he hasn’t played, Carvajal has done well. I’m not a coach to gift a minute to anyone.”
Carvajal’s long-term future at Real Madrid remains unclear, with his contract due to expire in June. He is also competing with Marcos Llorente and Pedro Porro for a Spain squad place ahead of the World Cup.
“I’ve always said – and with various players I always say the same – it’s something between Carvajal and the club,” Arbeloa said. “Whatever is good for Carvajal and the club would make me happy.”
Arbeloa also downplayed reports involving Kylian Mbappe reacting to social media speculation about Jose Mourinho potentially returning to Madrid.
“I won’t get into that,” Arbeloa said. “Whether it’s a like for Mourinho or Julia Roberts, it doesn’t bother me.”
