Dani Ceballos recently sparked intrigue with a series of enigmatic social media posts following a heated altercation with Real Madrid’s manager, Alvaro Arbeloa.
Reports emerged last week indicating that the former Arsenal player sought a discussion with Arbeloa after being sidelined since his return from an injury earlier in April.
According to Marca, the meeting between Ceballos and Arbeloa was tense, with friction having already been present due to a previous disagreement.
Subsequently, Ceballos was omitted from the squad for Real Madrid’s match against Real Betis last Friday. The game ended in a 1-1 draw after Arbeloa’s team conceded a goal during stoppage time.
This week, Ceballos shared a post featuring a training session at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas facility, accompanied by the song “Cerrando capítulo,” which translates to “Closing a chapter.”
Dani Ceballos shared a series of cryptic social media posts, featuring songs hinting at his current situation at Real Madrid
Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa, top right, reportedly clashed with Ceballos in a meeting at the training ground last week
Ceballos reportedly informed his team-mates that he had told Arbeloa not to contact him
On Friday, he posted again, this time from a gym, with the song “Hard Work, Clear Dream” playing in the background.
Ceballos continued the trend on Saturday with a highlight video of himself at Real Madrid. According to AS, the post included the song ‘Sin miedo a perder’ – ‘No Fear of Losing’, which features lines about perseverance and refusing to back down.
A further training image was then paired with the song ‘Everything Is a Lie.’
Ceballos’ social media activity has attracted attention in Spain, amid the increasing expectation the midfielder will leave Real Madrid in the summer.
Arbeloa was asked about the reports of the apparent clash with Ceballos at his press conference on Saturday.
‘I do not engage in public debates about the situations I have with my players,’ Arbeloa said in response.
‘It’s been over 20 years since I first entered the dressing room of the Real Madrid first team, and the first thing I learned from the veteran players is that what happens in the Real Madrid dressing room stays in the Real Madrid dressing room.
‘This is something I have carried with me since then and still uphold to this day.’
Arbeloa declined to respond when asked about reports of the apparent clash with Ceballos
Ceballos is expected to continue to train with his Real Madrid team-mates until the end of the season, but will not feature in their matchday squad for their final five league matches of the campaign.
Real Madrid reportedly believe Ceballos had attempted to deliberately create the conflict with Arbeloa in order to justify his lack of playing time, before seeking a move at the end of the season.
Ceballos has one year remaining on his Real Madrid contract.
The midfielder had turned down a move to Marseille last summer amid interest from Real Betis.
Betis are viewed as a likely destination again this summer, with the 29-year-old having begun his professional career with the club before moving to Real Madrid in 2017.
Ceballos is not expected to be involved when Real Madrid face Espanyol on Sunday night, where dropped points would see rivals Barcelona confirmed as champions with four matches still to play.
Arbeloa also responded to speculation that he could be replaced by Jose Mourinho in the summer, with the veteran coach tipped to make a stunning return to Real Madrid.
‘What concerns me is tomorrow’s match, that’s the only thing I’m focused on,’ Arbeloa said.
Arbeloa insisted he was focused on Real Madrid’s match with Espanyol amid reports Jose Mourinho could succeed him in the summer
‘I have always thought about Real Madrid, about the team, and for me, the future is tomorrow. I understand all the questions you may have and all the issues regarding this topic, but my response to this will always be the same.
‘The future is tomorrow, and what concerns me is the match against Espanyol, winning those three points, which are important to me. I’ve said over these months that for me, every match is life at Real Madrid because that’s how I see it.’
Arbeloa has overseen 23 matches since being promoted from his role as manager of their B-team, following Xabi Alonso’s sacking in January.
Real Madrid have won 14 matches, drawn two and suffered seven defeats under Arbeloa, with the club having fallen off the pace in the league and were eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Bayern Munich.
The Spanish giants are now set to finish without silverware for a second successive season.
Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, leading the club to one LaLiga title, a Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
Reports have claimed Real Madrid would have to pay £2.6million to activate a release clause in Mourinho’s Benfica contract, which runs until the summer of 2027.
Daily Mail Sport understands Benfica are yet to have any contact from Real Madrid over an approach for Mourinho – but that he would be keen on a return.
However, the club are understood to be wary of a negative reaction from fans should he take charge again, not least after the fallout from the sides’ Champions League clash in February.
