Kepa Arrizabalaga open to extend Real Madrid stay beyond 2024: “I would be delighted”

Luis de La Fuente’s Spain are set to take to the field against Georgia in the fifth round of the EURO qualification tomorrow. As the champions of the UEFA Nations League, they are the favourites to come out with a win.

One of the most prominent members of his setup is Real Madrid’s Kepa Arrizabalaga. The goalkeeper has started two games for the men in white this season after arriving on loan and already has a clean sheet to show.

The Spanish international spoke to Cadena SER (h/t AS) ahead of La Roja’s first clash of the international break. He first spoke about the Real Madrid dressing room and who the dominant figures were behind the scenes.

“Well, the teammates who have been here for many years, they have won a lot, and have a lot of experience: Modrić, Kroos, Nacho, and Carvajal. They’re very important for the whole team.”

Kepa went on to praise the senior-most of them all, Luka Modric, for his undying commitment to the crest and his quality on the field.

“What can I say about Luka? Few adjectives to everything that has already been said. He has a lot of quality. It’s too soon for his retirement. May he play as long as he can! He’s key in the squad, everyone loves him a lot.”

The goalkeeper is here as a first-choice starter for Los Blancos this season after Thibaut Courtois was ruled out for the season through an ACL injury.

When asked if he would object to staying past this season as a backup to the Belgian, he said:

“I just arrived, I’ve been here for two weeks. I would be delighted to stay. There are many things to see and there is a lot of time left, but I’m always willing to fight, to improve.”

On the competition for places with Andriy Lunin and possibly Courtois in the future, Kepa added: “Unfortunately, Courtois’ injury is for a few months, and when the time comes, when he recovers, we will fight in the best way. 

“I have always said that with the teammates, with the goalkeepers that I have met, we have always had a very good relationship, healthy competition. I think the beneficiary of all this is the team. In the end, I think competition in each position improves the team. At Real Madrid no position is cheap.”