Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa has publicly shut down reports of a rift inside the Real Madrid dressing room, insisting his players have never disrespected him.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Arbeloa called the claims "lies" and "made up," saying he will not allow the narrative to continue. He took full responsibility for the team's inconsistent season, stating it is false that players are being left out due to personal problems with him.
Arbeloa addressed a recent locker room incident involving Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, which Spanish media reported escalated during training. "For me, the most serious issue is that what happens in the locker room should stay in the locker room," he said. He described the clash as "bad luck" and said it needs to be put to rest.
According to Arbeloa, the players have acknowledged their mistake, expressed regret and apologized, adding "that's enough for me."
The coach refused to publicly criticize his squad, saying they do not deserve it. "What I'm not going to do is publicly crucify the players," he said. "They've shown me what it means to be a Real Madrid player these past four months and years." He specifically backed Valverde and Tchouaméni, saying they deserve the chance to move on and keep fighting for the club, adding that he is "very proud of them."
Arbeloa also defended Kylian Mbappé amid scrutiny over his first season in Madrid. "Kylian Mbappé made a huge effort to play for Real Madrid, we all know that," he said. "He had to give up a lot to fulfill his dream, because we all saw him as a kid in a Real Madrid tracksuit." The comments, reported by Fabrizio Romano, come as Real Madrid prepare for a crucial run of fixtures with unity under question.