The transition from our legendary golden era to a new, dynamic generation is in full swing. We all remember the days when the dressing room was commanded by towering figures like Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, Karim Benzema, and Toni Kroos. Today, the makeup of the squad is vastly different, boasting an average age of just 23 or 24 years old—a sharp contrast to the 27 or 28-year-old average of our last Champions League-winning starting XI.
But does a younger squad mean a lack of leadership? Absolutely not.
Speaking in his morning press conference, Álvaro Arbeloa firmly shut down any debate about a leadership void at the Santiago Bernabéu, specifically naming the seven players who have taken the reins to guide this new era.
The Magnificent Seven
When pressed on who the experienced voices are in the current squad, Arbeloa did not hesitate.
“I can say many, there is Carvajal, Alaba, Militao, Bellingham, Valverde, Vinicius, Mbappe… I think there are many players with a lot of experience, who have been at the club and in football for many years, and who have a great personality,” Arbeloa stated.
Dani Carvajal, naturally, tops the list. As the sole remaining foundational pillar with the most experience from our historic European three-peat, his authority is unquestioned. Right behind him are players who have absorbed the winning mentality of the departed legends: Fede Valverde and Vinícius Jr., who have grown from raw talents into commanding figures. Éder Militão also steps into the fray as the defensive anchor.
A Departure on the Horizon: The Alaba Factor
Perhaps the most poignant name on Arbeloa’s list is David Alaba. The Austrian’s inclusion is a testament to his immense respect within the squad, even as his time in the Spanish capital appears to be drawing to a close.
Alaba’s leadership was on full display during the recent, heartbreaking clash against Bayern Munich. In a moment that quickly went viral across social media, the veteran defender was seen pulling Vinícius aside on the touchline, using his experience to calm the Brazilian down in the heat of battle. It is exactly that kind of steadying presence that Arbeloa values, and it highlights the gap Alaba will leave behind when he departs.
Defending the New Arrivals
Arbeloa rounded out his list with two of the squad’s newest galácticos: Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé. Bellingham, of course, already etched his name into the history books by lifting the Champions League with Los Blancos in London against Borussia Dortmund.
Mbappé’s inclusion, however, addresses some murmurs among the fanbase. The coach took the opportunity to fiercely defend the Frenchman against accusations of a lack of commitment based on isolated moments on the pitch. For Arbeloa, Mbappé’s mentality is unassailable; having won a World Cup at just 18 years old, his elite experience and psychological readiness are invaluable assets to the Real Madrid dressing room.
