In a press conference prior to the pivotal Matchday 35 La Liga fixture against Barcelona, head coach Álvaro Arbeloa addressed the recent controversies involving his squad. He confirmed an altercation that occurred during training between players Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, which resulted in Valverde being hospitalized.
Arbeloa highlighted that the club responded promptly and transparently to the incident, with both players acknowledging their mistakes and offering apologies. He deemed their reparations sufficient and stated that the matter should be considered closed, emphasizing that he does not believe in publicly shaming his players.
“The players admitted their mistake, expressed regret, and asked for forgiveness. For me, that is enough. I am not going to destroy them in public—over the years, they have shown me what it means to be a Real Madrid player.”.
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Referencing Real Madrid icon Juanito, Arbeloa pointed out that even the most celebrated figures have made errors but gained affection through their unwavering commitment to the club. He also condemned the internal leaks from the dressing room to the media, labeling such actions as a betrayal and a source of personal frustration.
“When information from the dressing room gets to the press, that is a betrayal of Real Madrid. It really upsets me. Who is doing this? I don’t work for the CIA and I’m not going to blindly accuse any of the players,” said the coach.
As the team prepares for their crucial matchup, Arbeloa urged for unity and support around the squad, emphasizing that the club has maintained transparency and resilience during this challenging period.