Three talking points ahead of Sevilla vs Real Madrid | La Liga MD 37

The Real Madrid forward claimed that the club lost its structure and foundation in the second half of the season and even openly stated that he does not even listen to the manager’s press conferences.

Arbeloa maintained in his press conference that followed that he had simply started Mbappe on the bench because he was unfit to start El Clasico just days ago, and pushing him directly into a starting berth was unwarranted.

The fire between the two parties continues to burn and it is clear that the manager and the player do not see eye to eye anymore.

The big question, however, is whether Arbeloa will stamp his authority one more time before leaving by keeping Mbappe on the bench, or whether he will let bygones be bygones start the player.

Playing for two managers

Jose Mourinho is coming. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Tomorrow, it will be Arbeloa’s team that steps out on the field to take on Sevilla, and the men in white will be listening to the commands of the manager on the sidelines.

He will, however, not be the manager they will largely play to impress, for it is clear at this point that Jose Mourinho will return to take over the reins at the club in the summer.

It will, thus, be a queer situation where Los Blancos play for two managers – one who will be on the sidelines and one who is set to arrive shortly.

Real Madrid are heading for a generational change in the summer, as the board has had enough of the dressing room’s attitude, internal rifts, and politics.

It will, thus, likely be a ruthless summer and no single player can consider themselves safe at this point – not even the superstars in the team.

The objective for every individual tomorrow, thus, will be to impress the incoming manager and stake a claim to a place in his project. After all, a big part of the decisions taken by him in the summer may well be linked to their performances in the next two games.

Will Carvajal get his flowers?

The clash against Sevilla tomorrow will be Real Madrid’s second-to-last game of the 2025-26 campaign and their last game away from home this season.

As the official end of the season nears, it also signals the end of the road for some players as it does every season. This time, however, it appears to be a legend who is on the same crossroads – Dani Carvajal.

The Spaniard has not had it easy since his knee injury which kept him out for a season, and while he was largely fit in the second half of the campaign, Arbeloa never showed any fondness for his services.

So far this season, the 34-year-old has made just eight league starts and 15 appearances and has played just over 50 minutes even in his last four games for the club.

While not officially confirmed, it now appears understood that Carvajal will be leaving in the summer after the club decided against renewing his deal. It will thus be interesting to see if he merits a start in the next two games.

Arbeloa may have his differences with the veteran, but it is undeniable that Carvajal is a legend of the club and the game. With no real objectives left in the campaign, there appears to be no real reason for him not to get his flowers with a start tomorrow.