Arbeloa joins Real Madrid, reveals admiration for Benfica star | OneFootball

Álvaro Arbeloa begins a new chapter in his career as he takes over as head coach of Real Madrid, succeeding Xabi Alonso, and he did not hide his admiration for José Mourinho – who is preparing a trump card for Porto. The statements were revisited this week by the newspaper Marca, after an appearance on the television program El Chiringuito, in 2017.

“Of course I’m a ‘Mourinhista’. Being a ‘Mourinhista’ is a way of doing things and always facing forward, of not being afraid. Deep down, it’s about being who you are. I try to be as ‘Mourinhista’ as possible,” Arbeloa said at the time, who also spoke about the affection Real Madrid fans had for him.

“They were fans who saw the best players in the world and who value that quality, but above all, they value effort and commitment. I believe that is the foundation of our badge,” he added.

In the past, Arbeloa also spoke about his relationship with Xabi Alonso, the coach who was dismissed from Real Madrid — “We were almost like brothers” — and about his resilience in overcoming criticism — “I once said that I have many holes and that the bullets would pass through the holes I already had... and it’s still the same.”

It should be remembered that José Mourinho and Álvaro Arbeloa crossed paths at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, during the Portuguese coach’s spell at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Spaniard wore the Merengues’ shirt for more than a decade, including in the youth ranks.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.