I want Vinicius to ´dance and enjoy himself´ at Real Madrid, says Arbeloa

Alvaro Arbeloa said he wants to see Vinicius Junior “dance and enjoy himself” while claiming that he is not worried about his Real Madrid squad.

Arbeloa was named as Los Blancos’ head coach after Xabi Alonso left the role by mutual consent, according to director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueno.

Madrid are currently second in LaLiga, four points behind Barcelona, and seventh in the league phase of the Champions League with two games to go.

However, reports of disagreements with players, such as Vinicius Junior, seemingly placed more pressure on Alonso to deliver results.

Arbeloa, who will take charge of his first game on Wednesday when Madrid face Albacete in the Copa del Rey, believes the squad do not get the credit they deserve.

“I want him [Vinicius Junior] to dance and enjoy himself,” said Arbeloa.

@ViniJr pic.twitter.com/XXBJUDomO4

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) January 13, 2026

“I think we’ve all seen the season and how hard they worked in the Super Cup final. We have a great squad, and there are people here with six European Cups, who have been champions, and it seems that this is soon forgotten.

“There are good guys. It’s not something I’m too worried about. We have a squad of great professionals; they’re all very good guys.

“There’s no one more interested in winning than the players. I know what it’s like to be a Madrid player. I told them this morning that the best time of my life was as a Madrid player. They are very demanding of themselves.”

Madrid are the team Albacete have faced the most times in their entire history without ever beating them (P14 L11 D3), and they have always conceded against them at the Carlos Belmonte, averaging 2.3 goals per game (W5 D2).

Los Blancos are unbeaten in their last seven away games in all competitions (W4 D3), scoring an average of 2.2 goals per game, and could go eight consecutive away games without defeat for the first time since the start of the 2024-25 season.