Alvaro Arbeloa laments latest injury setback for Real Madrid star

Madrid, Spain – Real Madrid head to Mestalla on Sunday for a pivotal La Liga showdown with Valencia, but they will do so without the services of Rodrygo Goes after the Brazilian forward sustained a hamstring injury earlier this week. The setback has cast a shadow over an otherwise buoyant camp that has seen Los Blancos win every league match since Alvaro Arbeloa took the reins.

Speaking ahead of the contest, Arbeloa underlined the size of the task awaiting his side. “We are very aware of the difficulty of tomorrow’s game,” he told Diario AS. “Every visit to Mestalla is a complicated game, because of the atmosphere there, because of the great team that Valencia always has, the great work that Carlos Corberan is doing since he arrived at Valencia. We are very focused on playing a great game tomorrow knowing that we have to give our best if we want to get the three points, which is our objective.”

The news of Rodrygo’s injury dampened preparations. The 23-year-old has become integral to Madrid’s attacking rhythm, and Arbeloa did not hide his frustration at losing one of his key forwards at such a critical juncture in the title race. “We will try to recover him as soon as possible and in the best possible conditions because we need Rodrygo at 100% for everything he can give us,” the manager said. “We will consider the time that is necessary for him to return and help us on the pitch as he knows how to do. So patience and get to work.”

With Rodrygo sidelined, teenage Argentine winger Franco Mastantuono is poised to retain his starting berth. Arbeloa praised the 17-year-old’s rapid adaptation to life at the Santiago Bernabeu. “Mastantuono is a boy who has arrived at Real Madrid very young, with a lot of potential and with the ability to play on the outside and have overflow, to go inside… He has power, driving and above all also a lot of work, which is something he is giving us a lot with that intensity that he puts into the game. We hope he continues to improve.”

The manager added: “Arriving at Real Madrid is not always the easiest thing in the world because this club is very demanding, but you can see right away when you see Franco play the capabilities he has, the great player he is. For my part, I am very happy with his work, his involvement and what he is giving us on the pitch. I’m sure he will go further.”

Madrid’s victory streak under Arbeloa has kept them within touching distance of leaders Barcelona, and another three points at Mestalla would maintain that pressure. Yet Valencia, revitalised under Corberan, have lost only once in their last six league fixtures and boast one of the division’s most intimidating home atmospheres.

For Arbeloa, the equation is simple: cope without Rodrygo, trust in Mastantuono, and ensure the winning run endures.