ไทย
English
中國人
It has been a truly nightmarish week for Álvaro Arbeloa, as the Real Madrid boss finds himself managing a squad in open revolt.
Tensions at the training facility erupted this week, with Federico Valverde ending up in hospital following a physical altercation with fellow midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni. Separately, Álvaro Carreras appeared to confirm reports that he had been struck by Antonio Rüdiger in another incident.
The discord within the dressing room has seemingly reached unprecedented levels, with reports pointing to a deep divide between player factions.
According to reports, as few as four players still support Arbeloa as manager, while a number of squad members are said to have stopped communicating with him altogether.
The former right back is widely anticipated to depart at the end of the season, but these remaining weeks must feel endless for the man who was brought in to stabilize the club following Xabi Alonso's abrupt exit in January.
Clasico Nightmare Awaits
The crowning blow of Arbeloa's dreadful week arrives this Sunday, when Madrid travel to Catalonia to face Barcelona in the final Clásico of the season.
If the hosts avoid defeat, they will be crowned consecutive La Liga champions, condemning their fiercest rivals to yet another season without a major title.
The possibility of playing a role in Barcelona's title celebration will be especially painful for Arbeloa, who has a long and well-documented history of animosity with the Catalan club.
Throughout his playing career, Arbeloa—a fierce defender of Madrid both on and off the field—frequently clashed with Barça stars, earning a nickname that has followed him ever since.
Arbeloa Known as the 'Cone'
Bienvenido y mucha suerte en tu nueva andadura profesional, Álvaro Arbeloa, coach cono. pic.twitter.com/eBkjCntuFv
Back in 2015, Arbeloa posted a tweet about Gerard Piqué reading: "Someday I'll see my friend Gerard on the Comedy Club, talking about Real Madrid for sure."
Piqué fired back a few days later, famously telling the press: "I wouldn't call him a friend, more an acquaintance."
The Spanish word for acquaintance is conocido, with Piqué placing emphasis on the first syllable cono—which translates to cone. Piqué was playing on the joke that Arbeloa as a player was about as useful as a training cone.
The label stuck, with Arbeloa frequently referred to by opposing fans as cono throughout the years, despite his achievements, which included winning two Champions League titles.
Madrid Bench Using Cruel Nickname
It appears the nickname isn't exclusive to rival supporters, with journalist Manolo Lama claiming that Real Madrid's unused players are now also using the term to refer to their manager.
He stated: "Many of the problems stem from the fact that the Spanish players who aren't getting game time, when sitting on the bench, keep calling Arbeloa 'the cone'.
"Look at that cone, how terrible he is, look at that cone, he just doesn't get it."
It is alleged that Arbeloa has not heard the nickname used directly, but the information has been passed on to him through members of his coaching staff.
Meanwhile, AS reports that Madrid have even explored "setting traps" to identify the individual responsible for the sensational dressing room leaks that have exposed the extent of the club's internal chaos.