Arbeloa Blanks Laporta, Backs Mbappé and Calls for UEFA Action Ahead of Benfica Clash
Real Madrid Castilla boss Álvaro Arbeloa spoke to the press ahead of the Champions League last-16 second leg against Benfica at the Bernabéu.
Álvaro Arbeloa faced the cameras at Valdebebas on the eve of Real Madrid’s Champions League last-16 second leg against Benfica — and he had plenty to say on everything from Kylian Mbappé’s form to racism in football, while giving Joan Laporta the cold shoulder in spectacular fashion.
The Laporta Brush-Off
The headline moment came when Arbeloa was asked for his reaction to comments made by Barça presidential candidate Joan Laporta. His response was ice cold — he flatly refused to engage, instead pivoting to what he clearly sees as the real scandal in Spanish football.
His point? That the Negreira case — which he described as the most serious in the history of Spanish football — has still not been resolved after three years. Whether you agree with him or not, it was a sharp bit of deflection that’ll have raised eyebrows on both sides of El Clásico divide.
Mbappé: Ready to Go
On a more positive note, Arbeloa was full of praise for Mbappé ahead of the Benfica tie:
- He confirmed the Frenchman is fit and available for the match
- He made a point of highlighting Mbappé’s commitment to teammates, the club, and the fans
- He described him as a “differential” player — one who any defence fears
- On the goal drought chat? Arbeloa wasn’t having it — he pointed to Mbappé’s numbers and his football intelligence as evidence that the lad knows what he’s doing
Basically, the message from Arbeloa was: trust the process, trust the player.
Vinicius and the Racism Row
Arbeloa confirmed he hadn’t spoken directly with Vinicius Jr about the ongoing racism situation, but his position hasn’t shifted. He’s calling on UEFA to do more than just slap a slogan on it — he wants them to set a proper precedent and make a real stand. Whether that happens is another matter, but at least Madrid’s camp are keeping the pressure on.
The Benfica Game Itself
As for the football — you know, the actual reason everyone’s gathered — Arbeloa was upbeat:
- He wants to see a performance similar to the first leg in Lisbon
- The dressing room is buzzing, full of energy ahead of a big Bernabéu night
- He acknowledged the tie is essentially a final — winner goes through, simple as that
- On Mourinho’s absence from the Benfica dugout, Arbeloa was respectful, saying the Portuguese boss always has his teams well-drilled regardless of whether he’s on the touchline
The Vibe
Look, Arbeloa’s press conferences are always worth watching — the man doesn’t do bland. He’s got a sharp political instinct (no surprises there given his background), and he’s clearly not going to let anyone drag him into a slanging match with Barça figures. Smart move ahead of a massive European night.
All eyes on the Bernabéu on Wednesday.