Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa has denied any rift with captain Dani Carvajal, following reports of a strained relationship between the two in the Spanish capital.
Carvajal has struggled for playing time under Arbeloa since regaining fitness in January, with the coach preferring Trent Alexander-Arnold for most of the match.
The 34-year-old was expected to start against Alavés on Tuesday, but Alexander-Arnold was chosen instead.
At the pre-match press conference ahead of the Real Betis game, Arbeloa was asked about the situation. He responded, “Ask the players how I talk about him in front of the group. You’re trying to put me in a difficult and unfair position. He’s fully fit for the World Cup, I’m happy to have him, and I think he should be just as important for the national team.”
He added, “It’s very simple; only 11 players can play. It’s not that they can’t participate; there are many I don’t consider fair, but I know how hard they work in training. That’s all there is to it.”
Responding to a question about whether Carvajal deserves to stay after his contract expires at the end of the current season, he concluded, “When you ask, I’ll tell you the same thing: it’s between them (the player and the management). I’ll be happy with any decision that makes them happy. Anything good for Carvajal and Real Madrid is good for me.”
