Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa calls impromptu team meeting to emphasise unity and commitment

AlavésAthletic ClubAtlético MadridBarcelonaCelta de VigoElcheEspanyolGetafeGironaLevanteMallorcaOsasunaRayo VallecanoReal BetisReal MadridReal OviedoReal SociedadSevillaValenciaVillarrealPodcastsCopa del ReyReal Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa calls impromptu team meeting to emphasise unity and commitmentMadrid captain Dani Carvajal also spoke at Sunday's meeting. Lars Baron/Getty Images Share articleReal Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa called an impromptu meeting with his squad on Sunday, emphasising the need for commitment and professionalism for the rest of the season. Arbeloa also spoke about the importance of unity beyond the end of this challenging season for Madrid, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the meeting. Madrid captain Dani Carvajal also spoke at the meeting, echoing Arbeloa’s sentiment. Sources added that Carvajal’s words were particularly appreciated given the injury troubles the defender has endured this season. Carvajal has been restricted to just 13 La Liga appearances, with his contract expiring in June. Madrid are preparing to face Alaves in La Liga on Tuesday, with Arbeloa’s side nine points behind leaders Barcelona with eight matches remaining. They suffered a Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Bayern Munich on Wednesday, losing home and away to the German team. That defeat all but guaranteed a second successive season without a major trophy for Madrid, who lost to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana in January, a few days before a stunning last-16 Copa del Rey exit at the hands of second-tier Albacete. Since the elimination by Bayern, sources said, several players have shown support to Arbeloa and his staff, making known they would support him remaining head coach. Following the 4-3 second-leg loss in Bavaria, The Athletic reported that the general view around Madrid is that Arbeloa is likely to be fired, but not before he sees out the campaign. Arbeloa, the former Madrid defender, stepped up from reverse team head coach in January to replace Xabi Alonso, who had only taken the reins from Carlo Ancelotti at the start of 2025-26. When Madrid announced Arbeloa as Alonso’s replacement on the same day they sacked the former midfielder, his contract length was not specified. At that time, the club declined to comment on Arbeloa’s status, while those close to him said his contract ran until at least the end of the 2026-27 season. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Mario Cortegana Santos is a Football Writer for The Athletic covering Real Madrid. He has followed Los Blancos since 2019 at Diario AS, Goal.com and MARCA. He usually appears on Gol TV and is a main collaborator in the YouTube show The Four Amigos Podcast. He has covered the EURO 2020 and Qatar 2022. Follow Mario on Twitter @MarioCortegana