Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal was reportedly observed making fun of Trent Alexander-Arnold while on the bench during their recent match against Real Betis, which ended in a draw. This incident adds to existing speculation about a strained atmosphere within the Real Madrid locker room, which has been a recurring theme since the latter stages of Carlo Ancelotti’s previous tenure.
Carvajal has reportedly been one of the players most affected by Alvaro Arbeloa’s management. Despite Arbeloa’s denials of any conflict with his captain, the manager has continued to favor Trent Alexander-Arnold in the starting lineup, leading to minimal playing time for the Spanish international. Reports indicate that Arbeloa attempted mediation talks with Carvajal in March, but the situation has not improved.
Footage captured by Movistar+ during Real Madrid’s 1-1 tie with Betis at La Cartuja appears to show Carvajal reacting to Alexander-Arnold as he jogged back towards his own half while Betis was on the attack. The video shows Carvajal looking towards one of his teammates and making a gesture that has been interpreted as mocking Alexander-Arnold’s pace or effort in tracking back.
The lack of playing time is not only impacting Carvajal’s club status but also his chances of representing Spain in a major tournament. The veteran right-back, who has battled injuries for two years, was eager to regain fitness and secure a spot for the upcoming World Cup. However, with limited game time, it seems unlikely he will convince manager Luis de la Fuente to include him in the squad.
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold is also facing pressure to prove his worth for the World Cup. He was notably excluded from Thomas Tuchel’s most recent England squad selection, and he is now striving to demonstrate that he deserves a place in the final 26-man roster for the summer tournament. Despite some criticism regarding his defensive contributions, his recent offensive performances have been notable.
