Vincent Kompany
April 2026
Vincent Kompany rejected the idea that Real Madrid have a unique monopoly on Champions League comebacks, arguing that clubs like Bayern, Liverpool and Barcelona also have their own turnaround history. The comments add edge to the build-up for the Allianz Arena decider. Kompany struck a confident tone after Bayern’s 2-1 first-leg win in Madrid, saying his team had earned the right to believe.
Antonio Rudiger
March 2026
Antonio Rudiger is being linked with growing interest from Juventus, Manchester United and Liverpool as uncertainty continues around his Real Madrid future. Reports say Real have put a renewal offer on the table, but rival clubs are monitoring the situation closely as his contract moves nearer to expiry. Recent reports indicate Juventus are exploring a two-year offer, while Premier League interest has also surfaced from Manchester United and Liverpool. Real Madrid still want to keep Rudiger, but the final decision may depend on contract terms and the club’s longer-term coaching direction.
Alvaro Arbeloa
March 2026
Alvaro Arbeloa has played down concerns about Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham joining their national teams despite recent fitness issues. The Real Madrid coach said both players are ready to play and sees no problem with them representing France and England. Mbappe has been managing a knee issue and Bellingham has had hamstring concerns, but Arbeloa said both are fit enough to face Atletico Madrid and travel internationally. He stressed that top players will always be called up and trusted them to manage themselves responsibly.
Carlo Ancelotti
March 2026
Carlo Ancelotti revealed he sent Federico Valverde a playful message after the midfielder’s hat-trick against Manchester City. Valverde’s three first-half goals put Real Madrid in a commanding position and underlined his growing importance in a more advanced attacking role. Speaking after the match, Ancelotti said he joked that it was a shame Valverde did not have a Brazilian passport. The comment followed a stunning display in which the Real Madrid captain scored his first career hat-trick after going 26 European appearances without a goal.
Kylian Mbappe
March 2026
Kylian Mbappe will miss Real Madrid’s league match against Elche as the club continues to manage his recovery carefully. Despite sitting out again domestically, the forward is expected to be ready for the upcoming Champions League meeting with Manchester City. Arbeloa said Mbappe is improving daily and following a recovery plan that prioritises full readiness over a rushed comeback. Real Madrid’s staff have chosen not to risk him in La Liga, aiming instead to have him fit enough to travel and feature in Manchester.
Fede Valverde
March 2026
Alvaro Arbeloa praised Fede Valverde as the benchmark for what a Real Madrid player should be after the midfielder scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Manchester City. The coach said Valverde’s display set the standard after recent criticism of the team. Valverde struck three times in 22 minutes as Madrid overwhelmed City by cutting passing lanes and attacking space at the right moments. Arbeloa also highlighted the Bernabeu’s support for Vinicius Junior after a missed penalty and confirmed Ferland Mendy suffered an injury during the match.
Ivan Helguera
March 2026
Helguera said Madrid acted too quickly by ending Alonso’s project and should have waited longer before judging results. He argued the club panicked during a rough spell, saying a fair assessment should have been in February or March, noting Alonso left a day after a 3-2 Supercopa final loss to Barcelona and amid reported tactical friction with Vinicius Junior.
Vinícius Júnior
February 2026
Flamengo’s president outlined a cautious stance on re-signing Vinícius as speculation builds around his Madrid future. The forward’s deal is described as nearing its final year, with past reports of friction and delayed renewal talks. The piece says Vinícius is more open to renewing after Alonso’s departure, while Arbeloa publicly distanced himself from contract matters. Flamengo’s sporting director joked about a free return if the contract runs down, but the president position is framed as non-committal for now.
Alvaro Arbeloa
January 2026
Arbeloa says he told Bellingham to “stop running” in training, praising his work rate and leadership while urging him to manage output and conserve energy. Arbeloa frames Bellingham as a long-term cornerstone, highlighting his intensity 48 hours after a match and suggesting smarter energy management for longevity and performance balance.
Alvaro Arbeloa
January 2026
Arbeloa said Vinicius renewal negotiations are not in his control and publicly stated he hopes the forward stays, while refusing to demand signings and pointing to La Fabrica as the solution for gaps. Arbeloa framed the contract situation as between the club and player, and repeatedly shut down questions about board backing by stating he has an “extraordinary squad” and a strong youth pipeline.
