Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa delivered a defiant message to supporters after Barcelona sealed the LaLiga title with a 2-0 victory in El Clasico at Camp Nou.
The defeat marked another painful chapter in a difficult season for Los Blancos, but Arbeloa insisted the club’s history is built on overcoming setbacks and returning stronger.
Speaking after the final whistle, the Madrid boss first questioned a controversial first-half incident involving Jude Bellingham inside the penalty area.
“To me, it seemed clear there was an elbow,” Arbeloa said. “We will have to ask why VAR did not intervene.”
Despite his frustration, the former defender acknowledged Barcelona’s superiority on the night and congratulated their rivals for securing the title.
“Congratulations to Barcelona for winning the league,” he added. “The game went very much in their favour very early on.”
Arbeloa admitted emotions are running high among Madrid supporters following a disappointing campaign, but stressed that the squad must now focus on rebuilding and responding positively.
“We understand the frustration, disappointment and dissatisfaction the fans feel,” he said.
“The only thing we can do now is work, look to the future and learn from everything we have done wrong this season.”
The Madrid coach also reminded supporters that resilience has always defined the club’s identity, insisting difficult periods are part of Real Madrid’s history.
“Real Madrid always comes back,” Arbeloa declared.
“We are a team that has fallen many times and risen many times.”
He continued by acknowledging the anger currently surrounding the club after another major setback in El Clasico.
“Right now, I understand the anger any madridista fan might feel,” he explained. “We feel it ourselves inside the dressing room.”
Arbeloa also underlined the responsibility that comes with representing one of football’s biggest institutions, insisting the badge must remain at the centre of the club’s response moving forward.
“Here, we defend something much bigger than all of us,” he said. “We defend the prestige and the badge of Real Madrid.”
The defeat leaves Madrid facing serious questions after missing out on the league title to their fiercest rivals, while Barcelona celebrated another historic night under Hansi Flick.
For Arbeloa, however, the focus has already shifted toward recovery and rebuilding ahead of next season.
With three league matches still remaining, the Madrid coach wants his players to finish the campaign with pride before beginning what could become a major summer reset at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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