Real Madrid midfielder sends cryptic message on social media: ‘We don’t have many friends here’

Alvaro Arbeloa’s arrival at Real Madrid has turned the situation of several players around – some for the better while others for the worse.

While names like Franco Mastantuono and Jorge Cestero have seen their stocks go up under the new coach, one of the worst-affected players has been Dani Ceballos.

The player, after all, has not featured in three of Real Madrid’s last four games despite the game situation being favourable for his introduction, and it is clear that his patience is now being tested. 

Ceballos’ message

Last night against Valencia, Ceballos stayed on the bench through the ninety minutes after Arbeloa opted for Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Guler in his starting midfield.

Even Jude Bellingham’s absence from the squad was not enough for him to be called up as a substitute, and the manager called on Cestero once again to replace Valverde in the 92nd minute over him.

Photo courtesy: Instagram

Clearly disappointed with his situation at the club, the player took to his social media with a cryptic message that reads, “We don’t have many friends here; loyalty is expensive.”

His message clearly arrives as a mark of dissatisfaction at his situation under Arbeloa, and more importantly, of how he does not have many on his side at this complicated juncture. After all, he is slowly fading into oblivion.

Ceballos was not given a starting or substitute role in the Copa del Rey defeat to Albacete despite the game situation, and Cestero was handed a run-in even on that night ahead of him.

The same story repeated in Lisbon when Real Madrid lost to Benfica as it was again the academy star who was trusted in the face of defeat by the manager. Against Villarreal and Valencia too, Ceballos did not see a single minute.

At this point, his departure in the summer seems to be inevitable, and understandably so given his situation in the team.