🚨 Five academy players and key absences: Arbeloa’s first Madrid squad

Powered by🔎 Six from Castilla and key absentees, Arbeloa’s first Madrid squadOneFootballWed, January 14, 2026 at 11:48 AM UTC·1 min readÁlvaro Arbeloa has officially begun his tenure at the helm of the Real Madrid first team with a squad selection that has left no one indifferent for the Copa del Rey clash against Albacete Balompié. In his first list of call-ups, the coach from Salamanca has made clear his commitment to the "Factory," integrating several promising players he knows well from the youth categories. The big news in this squad selection is the inclusion of six key names that represent the future of the club. Besides Sergio Mestre in goal, in the defensive line, Arbeloa has called up David Jiménez and Joan Martínez, two defenders with great potential who will look to take advantage of the absences in the backline. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMeanwhile, the midfield is refreshed with the arrival of Manuel Ángel, César Palacios, and Jorge Cestero, players who bring dynamism and that competitive identity so characteristic of Madrid's DNA. Beyond the new faces, the list is notable for the significant absences that have forced the coach to look downwards. Stars such as Thibaut Courtois, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes, and Antonio Rüdiger are not part of this first expedition. These absences, combined with the transition on the bench, open a unique window of opportunity for the less regular players and the youth academy graduates to prove they are ready for the demands of the white team. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence.