Real Madrid News
Sergio Arribas talks Ancelotti, Raul, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Real Madrid exit
Real Madrid confirmed the departure of Castilla player Sergio Arribas earlier this month. The starlet signed for UD Almeria in a deal worth €7 million by virtue of which Los Blancos parted ways with 50% of the player’s rights.
The 21-year-old made his debut for Almeria in the team’s clash against Rayo Vallecano at the weekend which unfortunately ended in a 2-0 loss for Vicente Moreno’s side.
The former Real Madrid Castilla star recently spoke to Jorge C Picon about his move to Almeria, his final months at Real Madrid, and his performances among other topics. Here are the snippets from Arribas’ interview.
The 21-year-old first opened up about finally leaving the club and why he felt this was the right time to take the next step despite having offers on the table for the past three seasons.
“Good. Last summer I took it better because I talked to them and they convinced me to stay. They were going to make a very solid team to ascend to the second division, and we almost got it.”
“But this year I had to get out of there. Above all, I wanted to play. Have minutes. Get an experience in the first division. At Madrid, it is very difficult. They sign the best in each position every year and there I wasn’t going to have so many opportunities,” he added.
The youngster’s new outfit, Almeria, take on Real Madrid on Matchday 2 at Estadio del Mediterraneo later this week. He acknowledged that it would be a special game, and spoke about how difficult the clash would be, saying:
“It’s a very special game for me. I had been in that club for eleven years. It was my second home. They are the best in the world. It’s the best team in the world. Out of nowhere, they can score on you.”
“With Vinicius and Rodrygo they will hurt you a lot,” he added.
On the prospect of facing Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba in defence, he added: “At least I know them, it’s not new to me. It’s going to be a very tough game. We have to be very strong against them because this team doesn’t give you many chances.”
The starlet was then asked if he spoke to Carlo Ancelotti before leaving Real Madrid, to which he bluntly said, “I didn’t talk to him.”
He, however, had words of praise for the Italian tactician and spoke about his limited interactions with the first-team manager.
“Ancelotti is a top coach. He has won a lot of things. Everything with Real Madrid and also outside. He is very professional. I haven’t played or worked with him much but he was a very kind person, and if he had to tell you things, he would tell you. I’m grateful for the opportunities he’s given me.”
He then went on to elaborate on the important role Raul Gonzalez played in his development in recent years, saying:
“He has been very important. I’ve had him for the last three seasons. He has helped me a lot on a personal level and on a football level. He has told me things clearly. What I had to do.”
Arribas did not close the door to Raul taking over the reins in the first team in the years to come. When asked about the possibility, he said: “Hopefully. Who knows, but that would be a dream.”
The new Almeria player was then asked to comment on the Castilla side’s heartbreak at the end of last season where they fell short of promotion to the Segunda division by a hair’s breadth.
I was very sad because it was my last game for Madrid. But we have to be very proud of the season we had. We had a season that was almost a 10. I think we were the youngest team in the category.”
Finally, Arribas spoke on the pressure that came as part of being a Real Madrid Castilla star and how it was important to cope with it.
“Yes, it is true that there is pressure. For how the signing was and for how I came to this club. But I have to be calm. Doing what I’ve been doing for the last few years.”
Real Madrid News
Bellingham reacts after Real Madrid 1-0 Union Berlin: “Every day I’m very grateful to be here”
Just over a month into the 2023/24 season, Jude Bellingham is already the toast of the town in Madrid.
Indeed, the 20-year-old midfield prodigy has made a sensational start to life as a Real Madrid player and the story continued last night on his UEFA Champions League debut for the club.
With the game against Union Berlin seemingly headed towards a draw, Bellingham found himself in the right place at the right time to turn home a late winner in stoppage time and send the Santiago Bernabeu into a state of frenzy.
The England international is making it a habit of scoring late winners for Real Madrid and is basking in all the admiration that is coming his way.
Following yet another match-winning performance, which led to him being named the MVP of the game, Bellingham spoke to the club’s media and said:
“It was a good win. It was a tough match, they were very well-organised at the back. It was frustrating at times, but we knew we had to keep insisting and try to find those gaps.
“We missed a lot of chances, but in the end, I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time to score.”
On his dream start to life at Real Madrid with six goals in six games, Bellingham said: “I am very happy. Every day I am very grateful to be here. I come with a smile on my face, happy to learn from my teammates and to keep winning. Winning is the most important objective here.”
“I didn’t expect a start like this. I was confident in doing things well and, so far, it’s going very well. I’ve got my feet firmly on the ground and I’m calm. I hope it continues like this,” he later added.
The 20-year-old sensation also opened up on the goal he scored last night to win it for Los Blancos against Union Berlin, saying:
“I thought I had to follow the ball, just like against Getafe. They’re not aesthetic goals, but you have to be there to score them. Now it’s my turn to take advantage of those moves, but we’re a team and we help each other with the moves. That’s key.”
Talking about the atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu on a Champions League night, Bellingham could not hide his joy at experiencing it as he said:
“It’s the best. I thought La Liga was going really well until I heard the noise after the goal. I’m crazy about the support of the fans. You don’t know how big this club is until you are part of it. Hopefully, I’ll be here for many years to come.”
Signing off, he had a few words about Real Madrid’s start to the season, with six wins in six games across all competitions, saying:
“It’s the most important thing. At the beginning of the season, we would have signed it. We have to maintain this level and carry this rhythm into the next game. We all have to continue with this level of play because we have a lot of games ahead of us.”
