What does Arbeloa think about Mbappé leaving Valdebebas laughing?
There was curiosity to hear Arbeloa’s side after recent events, but once again he showed his most defiant side in defending his players and the club.
“I’m not going to throw Tchouameni and Valverde to the wolves” over their fight, rejecting outside criticism by insisting that “many lies are being told.” He defends himself by attacking, saying “leaking these things is a betrayal,” and accepts the consequences of what is happening.
Juanito and the lies
“There are two things I want to say: I am very proud of the firmness, speed, and transparency of the club’s response, and of the regret shown by both players,” he began. “They have acknowledged their mistake and accepted the consequences. They have apologized to the club, the locker room, and the fans. I’m not going to burn them at the stake for this after what they’ve done over the years, based on what they’ve shown me day in and day out. Both have proven they know what it means to be part of Real Madrid, through their commitment, effort, and love for the jersey.”
He gave the example of Juanito Gómez, saying he feels proud of him: “He made mistakes on occasion, but he’s the only player we sing about every match. He always defended this badge, gave his soul. How can I not be allowed to make mistakes myself? I could never reach his level. If we love him, it’s because he was one of us; he made mistakes like any person. Valverde and Tchouameni represent very well what Real Madrid is. They are European champions—not everyone who has passed through here can say that.”
Arbeloa was defiant in defending his players / AFP 7 via Europa Press
“I won’t allow so many lies to be told. It’s a lie that they are not professional; it’s absolutely false that any player has disrespected me even once, or that I don’t count on someone because I’ve been angry with them. That is completely untrue. I am responsible. Surely this season hasn’t met the expectations of our fans. I’ve been here four months and I’m very proud of the players, how they’ve received me, but sometimes frustration and anger can lead to situations we don’t want, and we need to use that to play a great match against Barça. Put all our energy into that,” he emphasized.
Fight and golf club swing
“I am responsible for everything that happens at Real Madrid, and if you want a scapegoat, here I am,” he assumed, and gave an example to show that what happened between the Uruguayan and the Frenchman happens everywhere: “I have a teammate who took a golf club and swung it at another. What happens in the locker room should stay in the locker room. That’s what hurts me the most.”
Then he criticized such incidents: “These situations don’t represent Real Madrid or any other club. But these things have always happened. Of course I’ve lived through even worse situations. This is just another incident that unfortunately coincided with what happened to Fede. This is a matter we need to close. They have accepted their consequences, they have apologized. They are ready to defend this jersey, although Fede will have to wait a few days.”
“I’m not really sure what it means that the Real Madrid locker room has too much power,” he replied, avoiding a direct answer and instead responding to his own interpretation: “When a Real Madrid player doesn’t play, it’s purely a sporting decision. I can only put eleven on the field, and it’s not because I’m unhappy with the one who doesn’t play; I choose the one I believe is the best.”
Arbeloa drinking water / AFP 7 via Europa Press
After this introduction, he went back on the attack: “It’s a lie that I have problems with anyone—not that they’re inaccurate, but they’re lies. The fans should be calm about this locker room. Accepting that we have to win and we’re not doing it is not easy. Madrid went 30 years without winning a European Cup.”
