The most challenging press conference a Real Madrid coach has faced in years set the stage for everything that followed. Specifically, a 25-minute statement from Álvaro Arbeloa left journalists stunned as they posed their questions following the worst crisis in living memory at the club. During the coach’s staunch defense of his players, those covering the team daily felt he had told “half-truths.”
The Spirit of Juanito
This was one of the most repeated remarks, especially regarding Arbeloa’s description of what he considers “a healthy locker room.” Finding the leak has become a top priority at the club, even though multiple sources have shared information with the media. Canceling the press conference was never considered.
Arbeloa stepped up to address a situation he has experienced firsthand, but believes its media coverage has been excessive.
Arbeloa: “I will not throw my players to the public wolves”
The disbelief wasn’t limited to certain confirmed reports—such as the fines imposed on Tchouaméni and Valverde—but also extended to his repeated references to figures like Juanito, whose initial response lasted over four minutes. Was Juanito an example of a player who made mistakes yet retained fan support, or a cautionary tale? The argument shifted as his statement progressed.
On April 11, 1987, Real Madrid fined Juanito one million pesetas after he assaulted Matthäus following a match against Bayern Munich, in retaliation for the German’s tackle on Chendo. UEFA later banned him from European competitions for five years, ending his continental career. Years earlier, on November 10, 1978, he had already been suspended for two years by UEFA for assaulting a referee.
Courtois’ Confrontation with Mbappé
“I had a teammate who hit another with a golf club” was the hyperbolic justification for what had occurred. That comment drew sighs in a packed press room ahead of the Clásico, where Tchouaméni will still play, indicating no immediate sporting sanctions. However, internal processes could still lead to the departure of players involved in recent disputes.
Everything will depend on whether Mourinho is confirmed as the next season’s coach.
Tchouaméni and Mbappé train normally before the ‘Clásico’
Nevertheless, Real Madrid needs to manage what happened to prevent further devaluation of its most valuable assets—especially the two starters involved in the altercation. Arbeloa is aware of this, just as he knows his own future at the club is on the line, both personally and professionally. That’s why he also expressed disbelief over some reports from the past days of chaos and destruction.
Some observers believe the crisis has been exploited for sensationalism.
The information that angered Arbeloa the most, aside from the leak of the famous incident, was what radio talk shows on Onda Cero and COPE claimed: that his players were mocking him from the bench. “That they disrespected me!? It is an absolute lie, just like the claim that…”
