Jose Mourinho has hailed Real Madrid‘s departing defender Alvaro Arbeloa as one of the most important players he has ever worked with.
Arbeloa will leave Madrid at the end of this season and bidded farewell to Los Blancos’ supporters in their final home game of the season against Valencia.
The former Liverpool full-back has been in his second spell at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2009, having actually begun his career with the club in 2002 before leaving in 2006.
And Mourinho, who has worked with a range of top players during his time with Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Madrid, describes the 33-year-old as more than a player to him, calling him a “friend”.
“Arbeloa is a friend, not just a player for me,” wrote Mourinho for Marca.
“Why does a player become a friend? He is an example of passion for his profession, love for his club and dedication to a working group and its objectives.
“He brought humility and honour to the relationship with all those who worked with him day to day.”
Arbeloa has made 154 La Liga appearances for Madrid over his two spells in the Spanish capital, and while he may not have the same reputation as some of the 10-time Champions League winners’ most famous names, Mourinho is in no doubt of the full-back’s qualities.
“Over history, our huge club will have many of the best players in the world. Arbeloa does not have that high profile, but is certainly one of those who has given Real Madrid, its fans, all of his coaches and his teammates all that he had,” Mourinho added.
“I only have words of gratitude for him. In my 16 years of coaching I have him, surely, on the podium of the most important players with whom I have worked.
“He is a good player and an exceptional man.”
COMMENTS