Real Madrid’s Álvaro Arbeloa Addresses Mbappé Speculation and Defensive Selection Ahead of Betis Clash

Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa demands six wins to finish the season and defends his use of Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of the clash with Real Betis.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 8:26 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Ysscores

Arbeloa Demands Full Focus Amidst League Run-In

Speaking from the media room at Real Madrid City, Álvaro Arbeloa outlined a uncompromising path for the final stretch of the La Liga season. With Real Madrid currently trailing Barcelona by nine points, the manager insisted that the "Royal Club" cannot afford to monitor results elsewhere. Arbeloa stated that his objective is for the squad to secure 18 points from the remaining six fixtures, emphasizing a "day-by-day" mentality that begins with Friday’s trip to Seville. He dismissed the need to provide external motivation to his players, arguing that representing the Madrid badge should provide all the psychological drive required to maintain professional standards through the final matchday.

Dismissing the Mbappé and Mourinho Social Media Stir

The press conference took a sharp turn toward off-field distractions following reports that Kylian Mbappé had "liked" a social media post advocating for the return of José Mourinho to the Bernabéu. Arbeloa was visibly unbothered by the digital gesture, stating bluntly that such matters hold zero significance in his technical evaluations. He remarked that players are free to engage with content featuring anyone from Mourinho to Hollywood actress Julia Roberts without it affecting their standing or his focus. The manager’s response sought to neutralize speculation of a dressing room rift as the French forward completes his second season in the Spanish capital.

Defending the Selection of Trent Alexander-Arnold

Arbeloa also addressed the ongoing debate regarding the right-back position, where summer signing Trent Alexander-Arnold has recently been preferred over club legend Dani Carvajal. The manager described Alexander-Arnold’s recent performances as "impeccable," asserting that the former Liverpool star has earned his minutes through merit on the training pitch. While acknowledging that choosing only 11 starters feels "unfair" to those left on the bench, Arbeloa reiterated that his selections are based purely on sporting criteria. He dismissed any suggestions of personal bias, characterizing every match as a "matter of life or death" for his own professional survival.