Álvaro Arbeloa appeared like a lightning bolt in the press room of Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. Madrid had just defeated Sevilla and several feelings mixed in the stadium. The local fans celebrated staying up despite their team’s defeat. They breathed a sigh of relief after a traumatic year. Undoubtedly, the Andalusian club’s fans have been key to Sevilla’s survival. Meanwhile, Arbeloa held a fairly calm press conference after several weeks of great turmoil.
“We played a very serious match in a setting that is always complicated. We were very clear about what we had to do, so I am happy with the three points we achieved,” clarified the Madrid coach. “We will see when we play next week, as I don’t know if there will be changes. Let’s see what day they schedule the match and we will organize the work week. We will take stock and, yes, the Athletic match will be a farewell game, for some player… We must play a great game at home, in front of our fans, and honor this shirt,” he added.
👏 @DaniCarvajal92 reaches 4️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ matches with @RealMadrid! pic.twitter.com/Y0Ic7INg4R
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) May 17, 2026
Arbeloa was also asked who had had a better season, Vinicius or Mbappé. “I have ended very satisfied with the performance of all the players, but it is true that we have not met the objectives. Each of them has faced difficulties in these difficult four months. But they have given their all and we are talking about two players that any team in the world would want. They are two of the five most game-changing footballers in the world and they play for Madrid. Today Vini scored and Mbappé tried. Let’s see if he is lucky and can score next week,” clarified the Madrid coach.
Some Madrid players left with discomfort, although Arbeloa downplayed Vini’s. “I think it’s nothing serious, but we have the youth academy, which is giving us great help,” he said, finally referring to the Spanish players’ match. “They all played well. They are great players and the best Spaniards have always played for Madrid. Carvajal played a great match, like Fran, like the rest. I am very happy to have them at Madrid,” he concluded.
“These have been the six most intense weeks of my life. I am very happy, very relieved. I took on a very big responsibility when I came. The patient was very delicate and we have saved ourselves by winning four out of eight matches. I am very happy to leave Sevilla in the First Division. That was the goal. It has been the biggest challenge of my career,” said Luis García Plaza, Sevilla’s coach. “I don’t know if I will be the coach next season. We have had tremendous merit and the news of the club’s sale came out before we played for our lives in Villarreal. I want to stay, of course, but one must be where they are wanted,” he added.
