Real Madrid head coach Álvaro Arbeloa has insisted he will continue to trust the club’s biggest stars, pledging to give them as many minutes as possible, despite ongoing debates regarding the team’s tactical balance.
Arbeloa, who took over from Xabi Alonso earlier this month, faced the media on Saturday, January 31, 2026, ahead of a crucial La Liga clash against Rayo Vallecano.
His comments followed a bruising 4–2 defeat away to Benfica on Wednesday, a result that saw Los Blancos slip into the Champions League play-off round.
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The loss in Lisbon once again highlighted concerns about balance when Madrid’s elite attackers feature together.
Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior have completed each of Arbeloa’s last four matches, alongside goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, while midfielder Federico Valverde has started all four, being substituted only once.
Asked whether those players are effectively “untouchable”, Arbeloa was unequivocal.
“I always want to have the best players on the pitch, and the more minutes they can be available to the team, the better,” he said at Saturday’s press conference. “These are players who can change a match at any moment.
“There will be people who aren’t Madrid fans who don’t want them on the pitch, but I imagine Madrid supporters want their best players always available, always on the field.”
The former Madrid defender went further, describing the core group as among the very best in world football.
“I think the five players mentioned are among the top ten in the world, and they have my full trust. And it’s not just my trust, their performances are what put them on the pitch.”
Real Madrid now turn their focus back to La Liga, where they host Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, looking to bounce back from the Benfica setback and apply pressure on league leaders Barcelona.
Mbappé recently voiced frustration over Madrid’s inconsistency, but Arbeloa played down the criticism, stressing that the team remains a work in progress.
“We’re working to find the consistency we want in our game and at all levels,” he said.
