The former Castilla boss steps up to the first team ahead of Copa del Rey debut, addressing the Vinicius Júnior situation in his first press conference.
Real Madrid have officially entered the Álvaro Arbeloa era. The 42-year-old former defender, a cult hero at the Santiago Bernabéu, has been promoted from Real Madrid Castilla to take charge of the first team following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso.
In an emotionally charged first interview, Arbeloa dismissed concerns regarding the pressure of managing the world’s most successful club.
“I’m going to be Arbeloa. I’m not afraid of failure,” the new manager told reporters. “Failure is not something that worries me. We have a squad filled with great players and, above all, great characters. I have been at this club for 20 years; I know the weight of this badge, and I am ready for the responsibility.”
🎙️ @AArbeloa17 🎙️
📺 Rueda de prensa ➡️ RM Play— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) January 13, 2026
Restoring the ‘Joy’ of Vinicius Júnior One of Arbeloa’s most immediate challenges is managing Vinicius Júnior. The Brazilian superstar had a strained relationship with Xabi Alonso, often appearing frustrated with the previous tactical setup.
Arbeloa was quick to offer his support to the winger: “I am lucky to have Vini. He is loved by the fans and the club. I want to see the Vini who has fun, who laughs, and who dances on the pitch. That is the player we need.”
Immediate Debut: Copa del Rey There is no honeymoon period for the new boss. Arbeloa will lead the team for the first time this Wednesday, January 14th, as Real Madrid travel to face Albacete in the Copa del Rey Round of 16.
- Match: Albacete vs Real Madrid
- Kick-off: 21:00 CET (Local Time) / 20:00 GMT
- Venue: Estadio Carlos Belmonte
“The players are as excited as I am,” Arbeloa concluded. “They want to win, they want to fight for every trophy, but most importantly, they want to enjoy their football again.”
