As reported by Marca, Real Madrid’s head coach, Álvaro Arbeloa, is confronting mounting discontent within his squad. Following the publicized rift with Dani Carvajal, a new case of player dissatisfaction has emerged, this time involving Austrian defender David Alaba.
The veteran center-back has reportedly expressed his profound frustration to the technical staff regarding his severely limited playing time. Alaba, whose contract with the Spanish giants expires in June of the coming year, finds himself perplexed by his peripheral role and has communicated this discontent directly, presenting Arbeloa with yet another delicate internal situation to manage.
Journalistic sources indicate that Alaba’s circumstances bear a resemblance to the Carvajal episode, though they are characterized as less vociferous in the media and ostensibly less complex for the manager to navigate. This perception is partly attributed to the defender’s impending departure, with the club having no intention to renew his agreement, rendering his exit a foregone conclusion.
A Mere 65 Minutes
Harboring hopes of reclaiming a pivotal role upon his return from a muscular injury that sidelined him for a month, Alaba’s expectations have been starkly contradicted by reality. His comeback occurred on December 20 during a match against Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu. However, since that date, he has failed to secure a regular spot, either in the starting lineup or as a consistent substitute.
Despite being named in the squad for 11 consecutive matches, his involvement has been minimal: he has featured in only 5 of those games, accumulating a paltry total of 65 minutes on the pitch. This meager contribution stands in stark contrast to the stature, experience, and proven quality of a player of his caliber.
From Arbeloa’s perspective, Alaba occupies a secondary position within the defensive hierarchy. The manager possesses alternative options at center-back, including Asensio, Hoysen, and Rüdiger, whom he evidently prefers. Notably, even the team’s recent defensive frailties have not translated into increased opportunities for the Austrian international.
Alaba’s tenure at Real Madrid, which commenced as an ideal narrative, has undergone a rapid and painful reversal. After two distinguished seasons where he established himself as a defensive pillar and captained the side to their 14th UEFA Champions League title, his trajectory was abruptly altered by a severe knee injury sustained in December 2023.
That incident precipitated a series of physical setbacks, depriving him of the continuity essential for regaining his former status. In what is now his final season with the club, he has been unable to alter this prevailing reality, a factor that ultimately influenced the board’s decision against offering a contract extension and cemented his imminent departure.