Arbeloa: We must finish the match with jerseys soaked in sweat, mud, effort, and sacrifice

Real Madrid secured a 2-0 victory over Espanyol in their La Liga clash on Matchday 34. However, coach Álvaro Arbeloa found himself addressing issues beyond the pitch. Tensions surrounding Kylian Mbappé are escalating, with palpable discontent within the club and even greater frustration among fans. The controversy stems from the forward's decision to vacation in Italy while recovering from an injury, only returning to Madrid a mere 12 minutes before the Espanyol match. This situation sparked widespread commentary and became the central topic of Arbeloa's post-match press conference.

“All planning for injured players is monitored and managed by Real Madrid’s medical staff. They are the ones who control when someone needs to be at Valdebebas and when they don't. Beyond that, everyone does what they deem appropriate in their free time. I cannot interfere with that. I do not doubt the commitment of any of my players. I believe everyone understands the importance of these matches for us, what they represent, where they are, and how fortunate we are to be at Real Madrid,” Arbeloa stated.

In stark contrast to his comments on Mbappé, the coach was effusive in his praise for Vinicius Junior, who once again delivered a strong performance in the French star's absence.

“How do I evaluate his game? It’s easy – he played another great match, scored two goals, and was a leader in attack. He was a constant threat every time he touched the ball – aggressive, intelligent, brave, and consistent. I substituted him to preserve him, as I didn't want to risk his absence in El Clásico. He also did tremendous defensive work, for which I am always grateful. He is a born leader, a teammate everyone loves, and a great person. I am incredibly proud to have him as my player. I am very lucky. Talent alone is not enough,” the coach added.

When asked if Vinicius was more committed than Mbappé, Arbeloa responded evasively but with a clear message: “I don't make comparisons between players. We need everyone. I often tell them it pains me when we see other teams running more than us. We need to be much more mobile, to seek out more open spaces.”

He concluded with remarks on the club's core values.

“We didn't build Real Madrid with players who step onto the pitch in tuxedos, but with those who finish the match with jerseys soaked in sweat, mud, effort, and sacrifice. When the best players in the world come here and understand what Real Madrid is, then talent unites with commitment. That is what makes us the best team in the world,” Arbeloa concluded.