Real Madrid News
Report – The promise Arbeloa made to Real Madrid star that strengthened their bond
Aurelien Tchouameni has become one of the few permanent fixtures in the starting lineup for Real Madrid this season.
Be it under Xabi Alonso in the first half of the season, or under Alvaro Arbeloa since January, the French international has been a mainstay in the team and has performed quite consistently as well, unlike some of his teammates.
As such, his absence for tonight’s UEFA Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, due to a suspension, comes as a huge blow for Arbeloa and Real Madrid.
Arbeloa and Tchouameni’s relationship
According to MARCA, Arbeloa and Tchouameni share a very strong relationship which has been built on the coach’s complete trust in the Frenchman’s role within the team.
As soon as he arrived on the Real Madrid bench, the manager called the midfielder in to deliver a promise he knew the player would like.
“With me, you’re not going back to playing as a centre-back again,” Arbeloa told Tchouameni.
The Frenchman became his holding midfielder, a key pillar in the middle, and he made it clear he had no intention of moving him from there.
With Arbeloa, Tchouameni delivered immediate performances and, under the new coach, the Frenchman continued the growth he had already begun under Alonso.
His game kept improving and, in addition, he started to gain influence in the dressing room, gradually becoming one of the important voices in the group.
However, there was a moment that strengthened that bond between coach and player even further. It came in the match against Celta Vigo, in the middle of the injury crisis that had left the team badly affected ahead of facing Manchester City.
Tchouameni, aware of the situation, knocked on Arbeloa’s office door and offered to play as a centre-back if the team needed it. The coach’s response was firm: he thanked him for the gesture but reminded him of his promise.
“You’re my midfielder, and that’s where you’ll stay. I’d rather use someone from the youth academy,” he essentially told him.
Far from creating doubts, that decision strengthened the player, who responded on the pitch with a decisive goal that allowed the white team to take three key points.
Now, Tchouameni’s absence in Munich is a significant blow for the team and for Arbeloa himself. Even so, the Frenchman has once again shown his commitment.
Despite being suspended, he travelled with the group, aware of the importance of the moment. With his status as an authoritative voice in the dressing room now firmly established, he did not want to leave his teammates alone on the most important night of the season.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar expected to start vs Villarreal after returning to Spain to continue recovery
Kylian Mbappe is already back in Madrid. The Real Madrid forward landed at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport this morning accompanied by his partner, Ester Exposito, at 11:16am, according to AS.
Real Madrid were training at Valdebebas from 10:30 am, so it is clear that the Frenchman did not take part in that session.
However, he is expected at Valdebebas later today to continue his recovery and reconditioning after the knee problem he suffered, which will not prevent him from playing against Villarreal, the report further states.
What happened to Mbappe?
Mbappe suffered significant pain in his left knee during the first of France’s four matches during this international break. It was Zinedine Zidane’s debut as national team manager and the Real Madrid attacker scored the only goal of the match.
🚨 MBAPPÉ YA ESTÁ en MADRID🚨 ✈️El francés ha aterrizado a las 11:16h en la capital. 👉 El Real Madrid entrenaba hoy a las 10:30h. 📹 @marcosbenito9 https://t.co/R04FwEwHcB
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) October 5, 2026
As he struck the ball, he felt the discomfort and requested for a substitution. At Real Madrid, they believe that had he continued, the problem could have required surgery.
The striker travelled to Spain to undergo tests, and the medical examination determined that he had “hyperextension of the posterior capsule of the left knee”.
As this was the same knee in which Mbappe suffered a serious sprain last season, there was concern at Valdebebas. However, the problem has proved to be minor and Mourinho is counting on Mbappe for the match against Villarreal on 10 October.
Active rest and recovery
After the tests, Mbappe was given permission to spend a few days on active rest under the supervision of Real Madrid’s medical staff.
He spent just under a week away from Madrid as part of a recovery plan in which coordination between the player, coaching staff and doctors was complete.
The France captain is now expected at Valdebebas to gradually readjust to the rhythm of the rest of the squad as the internationals return to training, with Saturday’s match in mind, where he is expected to start.
This comes as good news for Jose Mourinho, who needs the Frenchman, who has scored eight goals this term, at his best to get Real Madrid’s season back on track.
After all, Real Madrid are six points behind Barcelona in La Liga and are approaching a crucial period of the season.
