Arbeloa talks Carvajal, Vinicius, Mourinho, Negreira case, future ahead of Real Madrid vs Athletic Club | OneFootball

Real Madrid lock horns with Athletic Club tomorrow night at the Santiago Bernabeu in their final La Liga game of the season.

It will also mark the farewell for club captain Dani Carvajal, who will be leaving after his contract was not renewed.

Alvaro Arbeloa, too, will be saying goodbye as he will not continue as manager, with Jose Mourinho set to take over in the summer.

As such, today’s pre-match press conference happened to be the last one for Arbeloa as Real Madrid manager, and the Spaniard discussed his future as well as Carvajal’s exit, among several other things.

Arbeloa on the match and his future

Kicking things off, though, Arbeloa spoke about tomorrow’s match against Athletic Club, saying:

“I want to see a great match, say goodbye to the fans, and give them a victory. It’s a big effort; playing the last match at home is special. I want to make the Bernabéu happy.”

On whether it will be goodbye for him as well, Arbeloa remarked: “I hope it’s a see you later. I’ve always considered Madrid my home. I’ve been with Madrid for 20 years; it’s my home.

“This is my last match this season, I don’t know if it will be the last of my life as Madrid’s coach, we never know. I’ll try to enjoy it. And I’m focused on winning.”

Arbeloa’s final match as Real Madrid manager. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

On the topic of his future and what lies ahead for him, the Spanish coach said: “I’m not here to talk about possibilities. Mourinho has a fantastic coaching staff, he’s very well supported. If he comes, he’ll come with his own people, as it should be.”

Confirming that he will not be a part of Mourinho’s staff, he added: “There’s no possibility of me joining him. I’ve spent these four months thinking about Real Madrid, from now on it’s time to think about myself. I’ve taken the leap, I feel ready for new challenges.”

On the legacy that he leaves behind at Real Madrid, Arbeloa said: “I know the state of the team when I arrived. What I’ve had to face. If I had started from the beginning, it would have been different. But it’s what I’ve been dealt, and I’ve tried to do it as best I can.

“Not my way, but the best way possible. We’ve done many things well, and I’m happy with what we’ve accomplished.”

On Carvajal and Vinicius

Paying tribute to Carvajal, who will be playing his final match for Real Madrid, Arbeloa said:

“He’s a symbol of what a Real Madrid player should be. He laid the foundation stone for Valdebebas; he’s special, unique. It will be a beautiful day for everyone, to pay him tribute.

“He’ll start, and I’m sure that when I substitute him so they can honor him, everyone will stand up. When he looks back, he’ll be very proud of what he’s done. We Madrid fans have been very lucky.”

On where the 34-year-old stands in the rich legacy of legendary full-backs at Real Madrid, Arbeloa replied:

“I would definitely put Carvajal at the top. Dani has been able to be very dominant in both aspects, going forward and defending. He is a born competitor, he has faced the best.”

Meanwhile, Arbeloa all but confirmed that Vinicius Jr. is unlikely to be available for the game tomorrow, saying:

“He has permission from the club for a personal matter, we don’t know if he will be able to play tomorrow.”

Carvajal is playing his final game. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

On relationships with players

It is no secret that Arbeloa has had some problems with a few players in the Real Madrid dressing room this season. But when asked about his relationship with the squad, the manager was full of praise for everyone, saying:

“I’m very grateful to them for what we’ve been through. I’m aware that with 25 players you can’t have the same relationship. We’ve had differences, that’s normal. We’ve resolved them in the best way possible.

“We’ve shown each other respect, and the opportunity came when it came. For me, the important thing is always how you deal with it, with what happens to you. And I’ve dealt with it in the best way possible, thinking about Real Madrid.

“I’ve thought more about Real Madrid than myself these past few months, but I’ve done what’s best for the club. At another club it would have been different, but it was what I had to do. There’s no room for regrets.”

On his conversations with the players, Arbeloa elaborated: “Almost all of them have helped me grow as a coach and as a person. I’ve had relationships with all of them, we’ve had conversations, sometimes we’ve agreed, sometimes we haven’t.

“The good thing is that I’ve been where they are, I’ve been through those situations, I understand them. Often, their perspective is different from that of a coach. It’s easier for me to put myself in their shoes than it is for them to put themselves in mine.

“I leave with immense gratitude; they’ve made me a better person, they’ve made me enjoy every day. I’m very grateful to the club for the opportunity, I leave grateful after these eight years, leaving behind many friends. I hope I can return someday.”

On elections and Barcelona

On being asked for his opinion on the upcoming presidential elections at Real Madrid, Arbeloa remarked:

“There are things I can’t get involved in. I think it’s great that they’re running; they know where the bar is set. We’ll be listening and seeing what ideas they can contribute.”

Arbeloa also managed to fire shots at Barcelona and their president-elect Joan Laporta regarding the Negreira case, saying:

“I don’t attach much importance to Laporta’s words; we’ve always been very clear about what we’ve discussed. He must be referring to the Negreira case… We’re still waiting for a resolution to such a serious case that has tarnished Spanish football.

“Many referees from that era are still around, and we still have the same feeling. These things aren’t normal. We have to keep denouncing it. A Real Madrid player is bleeding, and that referee gets the reward of officiating the Copa del Rey final.”

Source: AS