Álvaro Arbeloa is starting his tenure as Real Madrid manager with a bold statement of intent. For his debut this Wednesday in the Copa del Rey, the club legend has left ten first-team superstars in Madrid, opting for a youth-heavy squad to face Albacete.
The official squad list, released this Wednesday morning, confirmed the absence of the club’s biggest “Galácticos.” Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, and Éder Militão have all been rested, alongside other heavyweights such as Courtois, Rüdiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tchouaméni, Mendy, and Carreras.
The Rise of Castilla
With so many vacant spots, Arbeloa has turned to the youth academy he knows so well. Five standout players from Real Madrid Castilla have been called up to the first team: Jorge Cestero, David Jiménez, César Palacios, Joan Martínez, and Manuel Ángel. This move signals Arbeloa’s long-term vision of integrating the “Fabrica” into the professional setup, a philosophy that differs significantly from his predecessor, Xabi Alonso.
Official Squad List – Real Madrid vs. Albacete
- Goalkeepers: Lunin, Fran González, Sergio Mestre.
- Defenders: Carvajal, Alaba, Asencio, Fran García, Huijsen, David Jiménez, Joan Martínez.
- Midfielders: Camavinga, Valverde, Arda Güler, Dani Ceballos, Jorge Cestero, Manuel Ángel, César Palacios.
- Forwards: Vinícius Júnior, Gonzalo García, Franco Mastantuono.
📋✅ ¡Nuestros convocados!
🆚 @AlbaceteBPSAD pic.twitter.com/vLLlWClSWM— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) January 14, 2026
Match Details & Where to Watch
- Competition: Copa del Rey (Round of 16)
- Kick-off: Today, Jan 14, 8:00 PM (UK Time)
- Venue: Carlos Belmonte Stadium, Albacete.
- Where to watch: Live and exclusive on Disney+.
Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Dani Carvajal, Raúl Asencio, David Alaba, Fran García; Dani Ceballos, Camavinga (or Manuel Ángel), Arda Güler; Franco Mastantuono, Gonzalo García, and Vinícius Júnior.
Albacete XI: Lizoain; Gómez, Neva, Aguado, Moreno Arrones; Villa del Fraile, Capi, Meléndez; Escriche, Betacor, and Valverde da Silva.
