Arbeloa defends Mbappé’s commitment as Real Madrid shifts focus to Alavés after European heartbreak

Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa stands by Kylian Mbappé following the Bayern loss and says his future is in the club's hands ahead of the Alavés match.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 8:57 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Real Madrid CF

Rallying for a Crucial League Finish

Álvaro Arbeloa held a press conference at the Santiago Bernabéu on Monday, April 20, 2026, to discuss the immediate challenges facing a wounded Real Madrid squad. With the team trailing in the La Liga race, Arbeloa emphasized that the remaining seven matches are non-negotiable. He stressed that his players must approach the upcoming Tuesday night fixture against Deportivo Alavés with the same "sense of necessity" as their opponents, who are currently battling for mid-table stability.

Addressing the Future and Club Identity

Responding to persistent inquiries regarding his continuity as head coach, Arbeloa maintained a detached professionalism. He clarified that while he has constant communication with the management, the final decision on his role for the 2026–27 season rests entirely with the club. Arbeloa rejected the notion of a "revolution" within the squad, arguing that the core is young and talented, though he admitted that the pressure of a "two-season title drought" at Real Madrid naturally brings the manager’s position under scrutiny.

The Fallout from the Allianz Arena

The press conference was heavily influenced by the aftermath of Madrid’s 4-3 second-leg defeat to Bayern Munich on April 16, which saw the team eliminated 6-4 on aggregate. Arbeloa revisited the "inexplicable" sending off of Eduardo Camavinga in the 86th minute, which he believes irrevocably tipped the tie in favor of the Germans. Despite the elimination, he praised the resilience of his squad, particularly noting that fans on the street have expressed pride in the team’s performance rather than hostility.