Arbeloa Backs Carvajal, Denies Rift as Real Madrid Minutes Remain Limited

Overview

• Arbeloa, speaking Thursday ahead of Real Madrid’s next league match, said his curt reply after the Alavés game was not aimed at Dani Carvajal and insisted the captain is “more than ready” for Spain’s World Cup.
• He explained that only 11 can play and said he picks on performance, noting Trent Alexander‑Arnold has earned recent starts.
• Carvajal has struggled for game time after a torn cruciate ligament and further muscle issues, logging about 885 minutes in 20 matches this season according to Yahoo Sports.
• Spain’s staff called Carvajal in March to say he still has a route to the 2026 World Cup if he proves full fitness over the season’s run‑in, treating him as a special case due to past importance.
• With his contract up on June 30, The Athletic reports via Yahoo Sports that Carvajal is still waiting for the club to open talks, and if no offer comes he could weigh moves outside Europe according to that reporting.