At Real Madrid, We're No Longer Like Kroos, Modric, or Casemiro

Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga has offered his insights into the team's current form, the influence of coach Álvaro Arbeloa, and his teammate Vinicius Junior.

“Arbeloa shares the same spirit as Carlo Ancelotti,” the Frenchman told ESPN. “He gives us a lot of freedom and talks to the players. Sometimes he brings gifts after training… donuts, Speculoos biscuits, Oreos. Players just need to be happy. When you're happy, your feet do whatever you want.”

Regarding Vinicius, Camavinga was direct: “People don't realize. He's a very good person and very emotional. People see him shouting and think it's a problem, but they don't know him. Vini always helps the youngsters. When a new player arrives, he's the first to approach them. In Europe, they don't understand this, whereas in Brazil or the USA, it's normal. This is football, it's a game.”

Reflecting on Real Madrid's season so far, Camavinga admitted to a shaky start: “We started slower, but now we're improving. We're not like Kroos, Modric, or Casemiro anymore. We have more power and speed. Football has also changed. Many players left, and others arrived. We need to build a new team.”

The midfielder noted that in the Champions League, the team reacts differently. “I don't know what happens. We hear the tournament anthem, and something changes. We understood that we can defend together, suffer, and then attack to kill the opponent. If I have to kill, I kill. It's either him or me,” Camavinga declared with passion.

The Frenchman emphasized the high demands at the club: “At Real Madrid, you have to win everything. That's the minimum. It's strange when I'm not under pressure. The spirit in the locker room is good. We are young and get along easily. When team spirit is high, everything on the field is easier. Personally, I want to be more consistent, to play more.”