Following Real Madrid’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Benfica, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa faced the media. His comments were dominated by the shadow cast over the win: the alleged racist abuse directed at his star player, Vinicius Jr.
On the Alleged Abuse and Vinicius’s Well-being
When asked about the remarks made by Benfica’s Prestianni, Arbeloa was direct, placing the onus on the player himself. “That question is for the Benfica player. We all deserve to hear his explanation,” Arbeloa stated firmly. “What is clear is that there is zero tolerance for racism. We cannot allow incidents like this to happen on a football pitch in 2026.”
He shared that he had a brief but powerful conversation with a distressed Vinicius during the game. “I simply told him that whatever he decided to do—whether to continue playing or not—we were right there with him. Always by his side. We ride together, we die together. When something like this happens, our only message is that we’re there for him, and we’ll always fight together, just as we did today.”
Arbeloa confirmed that the option of collectively leaving the pitch was on the table. “The referee told me he personally didn’t hear anything, so his hands were tied. The decision to continue was Vini’s, but of course, we would have stood by him no matter what.”
He later added that Vinicius was doing “okay,” but expressed sadness that this is a recurring battle for the player. “The sad reality is that this isn’t the first time. Vini is not just a spectacular talent, but a genuinely good person. When you get to know him, you see that. He’s always had to overcome situations like this, and we will always be there for him. I would never, ever doubt his word.”
On Mourinho’s “Provocation” Comment
Arbeloa was also asked about recent comments from Jose Mourinho, seemingly about player provocation. He deftly sidestepped the controversy. “I didn’t see Vini’s celebration; I was too busy watching his amazing goal. I believe that once José learns the full context of what was said, he’ll be the first to condemn it. It’s zero tolerance from us. I’m just incredibly happy with the team’s performance. This is the Real Madrid we want to see.”
Match Analysis and Looking Ahead
Shifting focus to the football, Arbeloa was pleased with the performance, especially compared to their last meeting. “The first half was excellent; we deserved more than one goal. After that, the game changed. Benfica pushed harder, we lost a bit of control, but we saw the identity we want: a solid team that works hard and plays well. The progress from three weeks ago is massive.”
He warned against complacency for the second leg. “Don’t make the mistake of writing off a team coached by Mourinho, even at 1-0. They are already planning for the next game. The Bernabéu will be waiting, and that atmosphere will be crucial. We have 90 minutes of great football ahead.”
On Individual Performances
Arbelao was full of praise for several players:
- On Arda Güler: “Arda has special qualities that really help us. He’s the kind of player who can link Vinicius with Kylian. He’s different, he’s becoming very important, and his development is a huge benefit for us.”
- On Aurélien Tchouaméni: “He was spectacular, and it’s not just today. He’s been performing at a high level for several matches now. We’re working on improving his game, especially getting him forward into the opposition’s half with the ball.”
- On the Right-Side Trio (Trent, Valverde, Güler): “They’re building great synergies. The three of them are complementing each other perfectly and doing a fantastic job.”
- On Kylian Mbappé: “He’s been struggling with a knee problem that’s been keeping him from being 100%. But he’s the best in the world, and even at 80%, he still makes that kind of impact. We really appreciate his effort.”
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