Álvaro Arbeloa Takes the Helm: 5 Things to Know

With the appointment of Álvaro Arbeloa as head coach of the B team, we’re shedding light on some intriguing facts about the 42-year-old.

A Career Rooted in Real Madrid’s Youth Academy

This marks Arbeloa’s inaugural role as a head coach, as all his previous coaching endeavors have been at the youth level. Starting with the Under-14s in 2020, he advanced to coach Castilla, the B team, as of the 2025/26 season, having devoted his entire managerial career to La Fábrica, Real Madrid’s esteemed youth academy.

238 Matches for Real Madrid

Throughout his career, Arbeloa has made more appearances for Real Madrid than for any other club, racking up a total of 238 games during two different tenures. His longest engagement spanned from 2009 to 2016, during which he contributed to two Champions League-winning teams. Notably, he even captained the squad in a Copa del Rey match towards the tail end of his time at Santiago Bernabéu.

International Success with Spain

Arbeloa represented the Spanish national team 56 times, being part of a squad that enjoyed a golden age from 2008 to 2012. The right-back participated in one match during Spain’s Euro 2008 victory and another during their World Cup triumph in 2010. He was a key player in all matches as the team claimed victory at Euro 2012.

Proficient in English

Arbeloa gained proficiency in English during his stints at Liverpool and West Ham United. His language skills will likely foster better communication with non-Spanish-speaking players in the diverse dressing room of Real Madrid.

Known as “Rocky”

During his time at Real Madrid, Arbeloa earned the nickname “Rocky” thanks to his dedication to fitness. He was known to spend at least 20 minutes daily in the gym. “When you do three extra sit-ups, they immediately start joking that I’m like Rocky,” he mentioned, reflecting on the playful teasing he received from teammates.