New Crisis at Real Madrid Caused by "Marginalized" Player

A recent report from Spain highlights a new crisis at Real Madrid under coach Alvaro Arbeloa, as defender David Alaba voices concerns about being marginalized despite his readiness to play.

According to Marca, the Austrian defender has expressed frustration over his limited playing time since returning from injury. Alaba has emerged as a potential issue for Arbeloa, following captain Dani Carvajal's own challenges.

Alaba's Discontent

At 33 years old, Alaba returned to the pitch on December 20, 2025, in a match against Sevilla after a month-long recovery from a muscle injury. However, Alaba found himself with no significant role in the team, having participated in only 5 out of 11 possible matches as a substitute, totaling just 65 minutes.

Despite expectations for a more substantial impact upon his return, Alaba's reality was starkly different. Even amid Real Madrid's defensive struggles, he has not been given the opportunities he hoped for.

Alaba took matters into his own hands by directly discussing his lack of playing time with Arbeloa, leaving the coach in a difficult position. Marca notes that the number of minutes allocated to a player of Alaba's experience and status is alarmingly low—especially with the upcoming World Cup on the horizon.

A Difficult Journey

Alaba's journey with Real Madrid, which began with promising success, has turned challenging. After two successful seasons as a key defender and contributor to the club's fourteenth Champions League title, he suffered a serious knee injury in December 2023. Since then, his role in the team has diminished significantly.

Currently in his last season with the club, Alaba has only played in 9 matches across all competitions, totaling 210 minutes, according to Transfermarkt. This situation, coupled with his inability to reclaim his previous form, has led Real Madrid to decide against renewing his contract, making his departure from the team increasingly likely.

Alaba joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2021 on a free transfer from Bayern Munich, appearing in 125 matches overall, scoring 5 goals and providing 6 assists. During his tenure, he has won 8 titles, including 2 La Liga championships, 1 Copa del Rey, and 2 Champions League trophies.