Real Madrid career surely over?!: Dani Ceballos "banished" for the remaining season after falling out with manager Alvaro Arbeloa
- Anweshan Ghosh
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 hour ago
As per reports, Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos has fallen out with manager Alvaro Arbeloa. Marca reported that the situation between Ceballos and Arbeloa escalated during an awkward one-on-one conversation on Thursday. Following the heated discussion, the Spanish midfielder declared to his teammates at the training centre to inform the coach to not contact him for the remainder of the season.
The relationship between Arbeloa and Ceballos was already fragile due to the limited number of chances he used to get even after the injuries of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Now after this recent dispute, the player-manager relationship is completely broken, which led to the player addressing the whole issue to the squad inside the dressing room.
Ceballos had been sidelined with a calf injury this year between March and April. After returning to full fitness, the former Arsenal midfielder had to watch four consecutive games from the bench before the boss left him out of the squad for Madrid's 1-1 draw against Real Betis, which left them 11 points behind leaders FC Barcelona. This worsened the situation and led to a heavy rift between the two compatriots.
Their latest clash suggests that the midfielder is unlikely to play for Real Madrid this season. His short appearance against Madrid's 1-2 loss against Osasuna in February might be his final outing in a Real Madrid shirt. As reported, the player will certainly be on his way out of the club if Arbeloa remains the manager at the start of next season, which is likely.
The Spaniard has a contract with the club until 2027, but after the recent rift with the boss, his departure is surely guaranteed this summer after the conclusion of the World Cup.
The 29-year-old feels that a move away from the club would be the best for his career ahead, and the club wouldn't mind cashing in on him. He doesn't have a hefty price tag on the transfer market, which makes him an attractive target for a lot of clubs looking to bolster their midfield next season.
Ceballos was close to joining Olympique Marseille last summer, but the move couldn't materialise on the deadline day. It's quite possible that the French giants bid for him again this summer. Ajax and Real Betis, his childhood club, are also linked with a move for the former Arsenal man.
Ceballos joined Real Madrid from Real Betis back in 2017 for a fee of €16.5 million. In his seven years at the Spanish capital, he could never get a prominent role as a starter. However, he had a brilliant impact for Arsenal on his two-year loan spell from 2019 to 2021, which prompted the club to renew his contract until 2027.
Upon returning, he was once again subjected to a substitute role, and he made even fewer appearances this season: 22 appearances this season without registering any goals or assists under his name.
As reported by Marca, Real Madrid are backing Alvaro Arbeloa in this case and suspect that Ceballos intentionally started this heated debate after getting frustrated over lack of game time. The club feels that the player seeks an exit from the club, for which they are prepared to let him leave as well.
The 29-year-old just needs to find potential suitors for him who would be looking to sign him and grant him more minutes on the field, which Real Madrid couldn't. Arbeloa has informed the club officials about the rift, and the player will be sidelined for the remaining season with the player's departure almost certain next season.
