Story byReport: Arbeloa hails ‘extraordinary squad’ as Real Madrid January transfer plans confirmedEPL IndexWed, January 21, 2026 at 11:50 AM UTC·3 min readReal Madrid turbulence sets tone for uneasy JanuaryOnly 20 days into 2026, and Real Madrid have already compressed a season’s worth of drama into a single week. As reported by The Athletic, the dismissal of Xabi Alonso after a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa final was followed by an internal pivot rather than a sweeping rethink. Former Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa, promoted from Castilla, walked straight into elimination from the Copa del Rey at the hands of Albacete, losing 3-2. Photo IMAGOAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe reaction around the club felt combustible.
