Álvaro Arbeloa appeared in the press room of the Ciudad Real Madrid and analyzed the match of the 36th round of La Liga against Oviedo, which will be played at the Bernabéu (Thursday, 9:30 pm CEST; Orange TV and Dazn): “Second-to-last home game of a league that slipped away from us last Sunday. Taking on the responsibility of what we need to defend, playing in front of our fans, and understanding the level of demand, what we must do, and, above all, in these three games, that we deserve to wear this crest, that we know what it represents, and to honor it.”

“I have always said, since I’ve been in this chair, that Real Madrid is stronger when the fans, the team, and the club are united. That has been the case throughout our history, in all our great nights. In difficult moments is when fans, a club, and players must be together, when a family stays united. We always come back. Real Madrid always comes back. The level of demand is very high. The self-demand, from the club, the players, and the fans, to never settle for winning, to understand that losing hurts—a lot, more than for any other club in the world—is what drives us to win again. I am confident that we will win again and that we will do so thanks to the support of our fans, and I’m counting on that.”

The president's statement.
“I’m not here to comment on the president’s press conference. Any madridista who listened to our president yesterday would agree on defending the interests of Real Madrid and its members, on how Real Madrid is always treated in a very, very different way compared to other clubs in the world. We are very aware of the demands that come with being Real Madrid, of always wanting to win, but if this club has one strength, it is its members, the madridistas, and no one is going to tell us how we should think, what we should be, or how to act.” 

Do you think the fans feel like Real Madrid has been robbed of 7 league titles?
“Yes, of course. We all know what has happened for more than twenty years, that we are aware of, because surely there are things we don’t know as well. And well, what we would all love is for a case to be resolved where the number two of the refereeing body has been paid by a football club, something that is clearly neither legal nor makes any sense to those of us who are part of this competition. And it’s unbelievable that only Real Madrid wants to defend legality in football. That’s a sentiment shared by all madridistas, one we had even before knowing about this case, and it has only reinforced it.”

You’ve said that Real Madrid is treated differently compared to other clubs in the world. What do you mean?
“I think it’s very clear, and it’s a sentiment shared by all madridistas. The double standard applied to Real Madrid versus other clubs has always been there. We can’t deny that we’ve gone two years without titles. How many teams have gone more than two years? Many, many more than two years. How many teams have won the European Cups that Real Madrid has won in recent years? We have more than double the number of European Cups than the second team with the most Champions titles, and yet the club’s stability and strength are questioned. I believe the members are not naive; they are quite intelligent, and what hurts them is this daily mistreatment by many people. And that’s where I believe they align with our president.”

Is Mbappé going to play tomorrow?
“Well, we’ll see if he can finish the training session we have ahead. He completed it yesterday, and if he can finish it and is available, then he’ll surely get minutes and the opportunity to continue demonstrating his commitment to the club in these three remaining matches. Despite those four cards, he’ll try to complete these three games, whether by playing, scoring goals, or showing, as I’ve said, his commitment to Real Madrid. As a coach, but especially as a madridista, that’s what I’d like to see.”

Carvajal and his exclusion from the preliminary World Cup squad
“I haven’t been able to talk to him. It’s a shame. I already said that for me, he’s a player I’d always want on my team because of what he represents, his experience, and what he can contribute on and off the pitch. It’s clear we must always respect the decisions and opinions of other coaches. It’s a pity he can’t defend the national team. Carvajal rejoined the group yesterday as well, and I understand he’ll train normally again and be available for tomorrow’s game. As I said a few days ago, I hope he can finish the season with minutes on the pitch and playing.”

About his future
“Well, I fully understand all the questions you may have about my future, about the future of Real Madrid, or who will be here next season. I understand them perfectly, but I hope you also respect my decision to focus on tomorrow’s match, to concentrate on that. After that, I’ll think about Sevilla, and once Sevilla is done, I’ll focus on Athletic Club. And once the League is over, then we can, or I can, answer all the questions about my future. Right now, the priority is to think about Oviedo and tomorrow’s match.”

Do you have a clear plan for your career?
“No, once again I’ll tell you that I understand all the questions you may have, all the doubts that may arise right now, I understand them perfectly. Surely, if I were sitting there, I’d ask myself the same questions, but I believe the philosophy I’ve held since I sat in this chair has never been to think about myself, or about the future, or about what might be best for Álvaro Arbeloa. It has always been about what is best for Real Madrid, and the only way I can approach this job while I’m here is by focusing on the next match.”

There’s a chance that only one Spanish player from Madrid will go to the World Cup. How do you evaluate that?
“I don’t know. I understand that we have several Spanish players in the squad, and from there, it’s the coach who decides. I believe Real Madrid has always been a club with many representatives, many players in the Spanish national team. I’ve been fortunate to live through a great era with many club teammates, but from there, it’s the coach who has to decide. I will always support my own. They’ve all had a season where they’ve been able to demonstrate the kind of players they are, and the coach will surely make the decision he believes is the right one. As always, every coach has their preferences, what they’re looking for in their team. Often, it’s not about whether a player is better or worse, but whether they fit more into the style of play the coach wants or what they’re seeking in each call-up. So, from my side, always the utmost respect for the coach’s decisions.”

Would Arbeloa, as a member, vote or have voted for Florentino as president, and why?
“Yes, I’d also like to know, but since I’m not a member, I won’t vote. I knew Real Madrid without Florentino Pérez. I don’t know, you’re very young, maybe you don’t, but I know what this club was like before Florentino Pérez arrived. I know what this club has been like during the 26 years Florentino Pérez has been here. And I’ll stick with these 26 years, no doubt. I have no hesitation, and I think during all this time the madridista fans have also realized what Florentino Pérez has achieved and done. Beyond the titles, which are something that make us great, that make us different, he has done so many things. There’s no doubt that, along with Santiago Bernabéu, they are the two most influential people in the history of Real Madrid. And if you ask me personally, as I also said a few days ago, if there’s someone capable of turning this situation around, I think it’s Florentino Pérez.”

Do you believe Mbappé has given 100% commitment?
“I think so, I think all of them, all my players. I couldn’t think otherwise, I couldn’t believe that a Real Madrid player wouldn’t give everything they have for the club because then I wouldn’t know where they are. This club is the best in the world. It’s a privilege for all of us involved daily, wearing this badge on our chest, to be here. Those of us who’ve been outside know what it’s like to be away from Real Madrid, what this club means. I believe my players must be aware of the luck and fortune they have to be at Real Madrid. They will be remembered their whole lives for being Real Madrid players. When, many years from now, they leave football, they’ll be talked about as former Real Madrid players, former Real Madrid legends, European champions several times with Real Madrid. Real Madrid leaves a deep mark on you, gives you many things. There are incredibly important players in its history who have made Real Madrid great, who have helped build the legend of Real Madrid. But as I always say, I believe Real Madrid does more for us than anyone can do for the club.”

Demand on and off the pitch
“I understand the criticism for any decisions I make or for what I may say. Many times I say what I think; other times I say what I must, but when it comes to the squad, I believe it’s the way I relate to my players. It’s not something I’ve only done here with the first team; I’ve also done it in the academy. A coach must be a shield for his players when there’s a microphone in front of him. When I’m with them, of course I tell them many things that I believe I shouldn’t say here, and the same goes for them—they can say things to me. The mutual demand we have for each other, always with respect, has been maximum, and it’s the way I express myself with them. It’s also been a demanding approach; I’ve pushed them, given them my perspective as a coach on the things we’ve done well, the things we haven’t done so well, what Real Madrid means, all that we need to improve, all they need to improve. But I wouldn’t change the way I defend my players here in front of everyone.”

Do you believe the club has hit rock bottom?
“I don’t know; I find it surprising to hear that this club has hit rock bottom. That’s why I don’t understand what the other clubs would be touching then. It’s something that escapes me, truly. We haven’t gone fifty years without winning anything. I don’t really understand what... It’s clear, and I’ve always said it, that if Real Madrid is where it is, it’s because of the demand we have and the non-conformism, because it doesn’t matter to us to win one European Cup—the following year it’s no longer enough; we’re already thinking about the next one. And now that we haven’t won it, the same applies. I don’t know if anyone here would dare to claim that Real Madrid won’t win anything next year. I wouldn’t dare to say it.”

Analysis
“I don’t really understand those analyses of institutional instability, disaster, a divided locker room, that this club... It escapes me because I believe Real Madrid has been doing many things right for a long time. It’s a healthy club, a stable club, a very well-managed club, a club with great players. And surely in the summer, the club will carry out the necessary analysis to improve, and surely in the summer Real Madrid will improve and have a stronger squad, a stronger team, but always with the calm of doing a good job and knowing this is sport—that there’s no club in the world that wins the European Cup every year or the League every year. From there, with focus and demand, Real Madrid will win again for sure, just as it has throughout its history.”

Do you have a clear plan for your career?
“No, once again I’ll tell you that I understand all the questions you may have, all the doubts that may arise right now, I understand them perfectly. Surely, if I were sitting there, I’d ask myself the same questions, but I believe the philosophy I’ve held since I sat in this chair has never been to think about myself, or about the future, or about what might be best for Álvaro Arbeloa. It has always been about what is best for Real Madrid, and the only way I can approach this job while I’m here is by focusing on the next match.”

There’s a chance that only one Spanish player from Madrid will go to the World Cup. How do you evaluate that?
“I don’t know. I understand that we have several Spanish players in the squad, and from there, it’s the coach who decides. I believe Real Madrid has always been a club with many representatives, many players in the Spanish national team. I’ve been fortunate to live through a great era with many club teammates, but from there, it’s the coach who has to decide. I will always support my own. They’ve all had a season where they’ve been able to demonstrate the kind of players they are, and the coach will surely make the decision he believes is the right one. As always, every coach has their preferences, what they’re looking for in their team. Often, it’s not about whether a player is better or worse, but whether they fit more into the style of play the coach wants or what they’re seeking in each call-up. So, from my side, always the utmost respect for the coach’s decisions.”

Would Arbeloa, as a member, vote or have voted for Florentino as president, and why?
“Yes, I’d also like to know, but since I’m not a member, I won’t vote. I knew Real Madrid without Florentino Pérez. I don’t know, you’re very young, maybe you don’t, but I know what this club was like before Florentino Pérez arrived. I know what this club has been like during the 26 years Florentino Pérez has been here. And I’ll stick with these 26 years, no doubt. I have no hesitation, and I think during all this time the madridista fans have also realized what Florentino Pérez has achieved and done. Beyond the titles, which are something that make us great, that make us different, he has done so many things. There’s no doubt that, along with Santiago Bernabéu, they are the two most influential people in the history of Real Madrid. And if you ask me personally, as I also said a few days ago, if there’s someone capable of turning this situation around, I think it’s Florentino Pérez.”

Do you believe Mbappé has given 100% commitment?
“I think so, I think all of them, all my players. I couldn’t think otherwise, I couldn’t believe that a Real Madrid player wouldn’t give everything they have for the club because then I wouldn’t know where they are. This club is the best in the world. It’s a privilege for all of us involved daily, wearing this badge on our chest, to be here. Those of us who’ve been outside know what it’s like to be away from Real Madrid, what this club means. I believe my players must be aware of the luck and fortune they have to be at Real Madrid. They will be remembered their whole lives for being Real Madrid players. When, many years from now, they leave football, they’ll be talked about as former Real Madrid players, former Real Madrid legends, European champions several times with Real Madrid. Real Madrid leaves a deep mark on you, gives you many things. There are incredibly important players in its history who have made Real Madrid great, who have helped build the legend of Real Madrid. But as I always say, I believe Real Madrid does more for us than anyone can do for the club.”

Demand on and off the pitch
“I understand the criticism for any decisions I make or for what I may say. Many times I say what I think; other times I say what I must, but when it comes to the squad, I believe it’s the way I relate to my players. It’s not something I’ve only done here with the first team; I’ve also done it in the academy. A coach must be a shield for his players when there’s a microphone in front of him. When I’m with them, of course I tell them many things that I believe I shouldn’t say here, and the same goes for them—they can say things to me. The mutual demand we have for each other, always with respect, has been maximum, and it’s the way I express myself with them. It’s also been a demanding approach; I’ve pushed them, given them my perspective as a coach on the things we’ve done well, the things we haven’t done so well, what Real Madrid means, all that we need to improve, all they need to improve. But I wouldn’t change the way I defend my players here in front of everyone.”

Do you believe the club has hit rock bottom?
“I don’t know; I find it surprising to hear that this club has hit rock bottom. That’s why I don’t understand what the other clubs would be touching then. It’s something that escapes me, truly. We haven’t gone fifty years without winning anything. I don’t really understand what... It’s clear, and I’ve always said it, that if Real Madrid is where it is, it’s because of the demand we have and the non-conformism, because it doesn’t matter to us to win one European Cup—the following year it’s no longer enough; we’re already thinking about the next one. And now that we haven’t won it, the same applies. I don’t know if anyone here would dare to claim that Real Madrid won’t win anything next year. I wouldn’t dare to say it.” Analysis
“I don’t really understand those analyses of institutional instability, disaster, a divided locker room, that this club... It escapes me because I believe Real Madrid has been doing many things right for a long time. It’s a healthy club, a stable club, a very well-managed club, a club with great players. And surely in the summer, the club will carry out the necessary analysis to improve, and surely in the summer Real Madrid will improve and have a stronger squad, a stronger team, but always with the calm of doing a good job and knowing this is sport—that there’s no club in the world that wins the European Cup every year or the League every year. From there, with focus and demand, Real Madrid will win again for sure, just as it has throughout its history.”

Commitment of the players in the last three matches
“This has not happened to me, and I hope it doesn't. I’ve been a coach who has been quite careful with my players in ninety-five percent of the cases. I’ve tried not to risk the health of my players, giving them minutes very gradually when they were coming back from injuries. I think I’ve been quite cautious. It’s easier to do the opposite because, in the end, we coaches also have a lot at stake. You always want to have the best players on the field. I will continue doing this for the next three matches. I would like everyone to have the opportunity to bid farewell to this season by playing. There are many players who have been training and working very well, and I would also like them to have the reward of playing. But I don’t believe there will be a case where someone doesn’t want to play or doesn’t want to make an effort or has their mind more on the World Cup than on defending Real Madrid in these three matches. For me, in these three matches, the players have to show a lot, and that’s what I expect from them.”

Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.