Arbeloa carries out a clear-out at Real Madrid and announces 11 absences for the Copa del Rey clash
Courtois, Mbappé, Bellingham, among others, were not included by the interim coach for the match against Albacete.
The Álvaro Arbeloa era at Real Madrid has officially begun, and it has started with a clear, defiant statement. For his first official match as head coach of the first team, Arbeloa has prioritized the club's DNA over the glitz and glamour of its "Galáctico" stars. As the squad prepares to face Albacete Balompié in the Copa del Rey Round of 16, the new manager has unveiled a list of convocados that signals a radical shift in philosophy following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso.
In a move that has surprised both the Spanish press and the international media, Arbeloa is betting heavily on "La Fábrica" (The Factory). Having spent the last several years rising through the ranks of the club's youth system, Arbeloa knows the academy's territory better than anyone. This first squad list is a testament to his belief that the club’s immediate future must be built on the hunger and intensity of those who have been raised at Valdebebas.
The "New Six": The Faces of the Future
Arbeloa’s list features six standout names from the youth ranks, providing a fresh breath of air to a roster that had looked tactically stagnant in recent weeks.
- Sergio Mestre (Goalkeeper): With the goalkeeping position under scrutiny, Mestre provides a modern, agile alternative between the posts.
- David Jiménez & Joan Martínez (Defenders): Perhaps the most critical inclusions. Amid a defensive crisis and the absence of senior veterans, these two center-backs represent the tactical projection Arbeloa wants. Martínez, in particular, has been dubbed the "New Sergio Ramos" by academy scouts.
- Manuel Ángel, César Palacios & Jorge Cestero (Midfielders): This trio forms the engine room of Arbeloa’s vision. Known for their high-intensity pressing, mobility, and deep understanding of "Madridismo" tactical fundamentals, they are expected to bring the energy that was missing in the Saudi Super Cup.
Resting the Giants: A Bold Tactical Risk
The most shocking aspect of the announcement is not who is in the squad, but who is out. Arbeloa has made the executive decision to rest the core of the first-team's "Galáctico" era. Thibaut Courtois, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes, and Antonio Rüdiger have all been excluded from the trip to Albacete.
While some of these absences are due to the heavy physical load of the international calendar and the recent Super Cup, others are perceived as a "tactical reset." Arbeloa is sending a clear message: no one’s spot is guaranteed by name alone. By leaving the superstars in Madrid, he is forcing the secondary players and the academy graduates to step into the spotlight and prove they can handle the pressure of the white shirt.
A Platform for Redemption
The Copa del Rey clash against Albacete is traditionally a "trap" game for Real Madrid. However, under the current circumstances, it has transformed into a high-stakes exam. For players who had been sidelined under Xabi Alonso, this is a golden opportunity for redemption. For the youth players, it is a once-in-a-lifetime platform to show Florentino Pérez that the solution to the club’s problems might not be in the transfer market, but in the training pitches of Valdebebas.
"The identity of Real Madrid is built on winning, but also on the spirit of those who would die for the badge," Arbeloa hinted in his pre-match preparations. This squad list is the physical manifestation of that belief. As the team travels to the Carlos Belmonte stadium, the eyes of the world will be on Arbeloa’s "Spartan" youth to see if they can spark the comeback that the 15-time Champions League winners so desperately need.
