Real Madrid legend Dani Carvajal hosted a private farewell dinner with several teammates and club staff members earlier this week, but one key figure was notably absent: current head coach Alvaro Arbeloa. The snub has intensified speculation about growing divisions within the squad as the club endures a trophy-less season.
Carvajal’s Farewell Dinner Excludes Arbeloa
According to journalist Mario Cortegana of AS, Carvajal invited a number of Real Madrid players and staff members to a dinner to mark his impending departure. The veteran right-back will leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires, ending a nearly two-decade association with Los Blancos. However, Arbeloa was not among the guests, raising fresh questions about the relationship between the coach and senior squad members.
Carvajal and Arbeloa previously shared a strong bond as teammates, having played together on 26 occasions. However, since Arbeloa took over as head coach in January after Xabi Alonso’s dismissal, the dynamic has shifted. Carvajal has struggled for regular playing time under the 43-year-old manager, making only 14 appearances across all competitions since January, with just five starts.
Dressing Room Tensions Mount
The dinner incident adds to a growing list of concerns within the Real Madrid camp. The team has failed to win any silverware this season, and reports of dressing room unrest have emerged repeatedly. In one notable incident, midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni were punished after a training ground altercation. The latest snub involving Carvajal has further fueled speculation about internal divisions.
Spain Coach Comments on Carvajal’s Omission
Meanwhile, Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente explained why Carvajal was left out of Spain’s preliminary FIFA World Cup squad. De la Fuente praised Carvajal’s leadership qualities and importance to the national team but acknowledged that the defender is currently going through a difficult period due to limited playing time and fitness concerns. The Spain manager emphasized that selection decisions are based solely on performance and form.
Carvajal has earned 52 caps for Spain and played a key role in winning the UEFA European Championship and the UEFA Nations League. However, injuries have restricted him to just 22 appearances for Real Madrid this season, with only nine starts across all competitions. His departure marks the end of an era for the Madrid giants, as the academy product spent nearly two decades at the club.
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