Arbeloa leaps to Vinicius' defence after Bernabéu boos: 'I'll demand players look for him'
The Real Madrid Castilla coach strongly backed the Brazilian star following a difficult night at the Bernabéu, insisting Vinicius 'reflects what a Real Madrid player is'.
In his Bernabéu debut as manager, Álvaro Arbeloa secured his first victory with Real Madrid Castilla despite a challenging atmosphere with fans turning on several players, particularly Vinicius Jr.
Backing Vini through thick and thin
Arbeloa didn’t mince his words when addressing the hostile reception Vinicius received from sections of the home crowd. The former Madrid defender made it crystal clear where his loyalties lie with the Brazilian star.
“I’m going to work to have the best Vinicius, and demand my players look for him,” Arbeloa stated emphatically, before launching into a passionate defence of the winger’s character and contributions to the club.
The Castilla boss highlighted that what Vini has accomplished at such a young age is remarkable, insisting he embodies everything a Real Madrid player should be – fearless, committed, and game-changing.
Understanding the Bernabéu’s demands
While Arbeloa strongly backed his players, he also showed respect for the demanding nature of the Bernabéu faithful:
- Acknowledged the fans’ right to express disappointment after a difficult week
- Admitted he himself has been on the receiving end of whistles during his playing days
- Emphasized that the high standards are what make Madrid “great”
He noted that the team’s first-half performance fell well below expectations, which contributed to the crowd’s frustration.
Mbappé praise despite injury concerns
Arbeloa revealed Kylian Mbappé is playing through knee discomfort, expressing gratitude for the Frenchman’s commitment:
“I thank him for his effort because we know his knee is affected. He could have backed down… he’s a natural leader.”
The coach also shared a light-hearted moment about Mbappé nutmegging him during a rondo drill as a welcome gesture – something Arbeloa said he’ll “take with me for life.”
Defending Florentino amid criticism
When asked about chants directed at club president Florentino Pérez, Arbeloa was unequivocal in his support, suggesting the criticism comes from “campaigns” orchestrated by those who “don’t want Madrid to succeed” rather than genuine fans.
He described Pérez as “the most important person at this club alongside Bernabéu” and insisted true Madrid supporters recognize his contributions.