Arbeloa: I Would Be Happy with Mourinho's Return, and This Hurts Me the Most

Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa appeared at a press conference to discuss tomorrow's match against Sevilla in the 37th round of La Liga, which will take place at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.

The coach said: "Sevilla, if I'm not mistaken, has won its last three matches and is performing well under Luis's leadership. It's always an exciting stadium for us because of the challenge and the enthusiastic atmosphere. They have some of the best fans in Spain, and I'm sure that since it's their last home game of the season, they will want to put on a good performance for their fans. It's just another battle."

He added about Kylian Mbappe: "I just saw him, and I asked him to stay calm. I understand that these things might seem like news, but I see them as more natural. I know what my players feel, and I know how they feel when they play every day and then don't play. I completely understand them when they don't play. I wouldn't have understood if Mbappe didn't want to play for Real Madrid. For me, it's more natural than it's portrayed. I thought it would be better for him to play a little in the second half. I see what's happening these days as completely normal, and my relationship with Mbappe hasn't changed."

He emphasized: "When I talk to my team players, I always mean what I say, and I am not afraid for them to express their opinions. I understand, and it doesn't bother me, that they speak publicly. I spoke with him before the match, and what I explained to him, I have explained to you as well." "No problem."

He said: "I arrived a few months ago, and I was a coach in the Spanish first division. When I leave, I will leave as the head coach of Real Madrid's first team. I don't think there are many coaches who can say the same. These months have been an enormous learning experience. Being in front of all of you is also a valuable lesson. On the day this ends, along with my maturity, I will leave with a clear conscience."

He continued: "The hardest thing in this club is always not winning. That's what hurts me the most, not being able to help the players win titles due to the high expectations we have, and because of the hopes of many who pin their expectations on us."

Regarding the situation in the locker room: "I don't fully understand the notion that the locker room is 'uncontrollable,' or at least I don't share that opinion. That's not how I would describe the Real Madrid locker room. As for the club, when they make a decision about the coach for the next season, that's up to them, and they will announce it when they see fit."

The arrival of José Mourinho concluded: "I think I have been very clear throughout my life about what I think of him. For me, as a former player of his, but especially as a Madridista, I feel and believe he is number one. A colleague of yours asked me a few days ago if I still believe what I said when we faced him in the Champions League, and I think what I believed a month ago I will always continue to believe; which is that José was, is, and will always be one of us. So, if he is the one to be here next season, I will be very happy to see him return to his home."