Arbelóa’s Real Madrid Outperforms Alonso’s Start

Hollywood legend Marlon Brando once famously shrugged off comparisons, telling a journalist who asked how he felt about being called the greatest actor of all time: “What does it matter?” Brando’s point was simple: comparison is often irrelevant because every individual gives their utmost effort, and each style or approach is unique. In life, as in cinema, success is defined differently by different people—but the work itself is undeniable.

The same principle applies in football. Creative and competitive fields naturally invite comparison, whether we like it or not. At Real Madrid, the debate has resurfaced following Alvaro Arbeloa’s initial tenure as first-team coach: has Arbeloa’s team started better than Javi Alonso’s?

Alonso’s spell at Real was brief. Appointed in June 2025, he was dismissed on 12 January 2026 after losing 3–2 to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. Across all competitions, Alonso’s squad played 34 matches, winning 24, drawing four, and losing six.

Following Alonso’s departure, former full-back Arbeloa, who had been coaching Real Madrid Castilla (the B team) since June 2025, was promoted. He had begun coaching in 2020 after retiring in 2017 and was deeply familiar with the club’s youth academy.

Arbeloa’s start was not without setbacks. Real lost 3–2 to Albacete in the Copa del Rey last 16, but the team bounced back with three consecutive wins: two in La Liga and one in the Champions League, including a 6–1 victory over Monaco, their biggest win this season.

Spanish media outlet Marca claims Arbeloa has outperformed Alonso with the same squad, and statistics support this.

Arbeloa’s side also plays a more possession-oriented, passing game, with higher pressing and better offensive metrics. Against Villarreal, Real maintained 58.1% possession while conceding only eight shots from 14 attempts.

Notably, Arbeloa has made strategic squad decisions without major overhauls. Vinicius Jr remains central to the attack, Arda Guler has returned to regular midfield action, Eduardo Camavinga has been deployed in a full-back role, and Franco Mastantuono continues to contribute significantly.

Alonso and Arbeloa were former teammates at Real, and Arbeloa describes their relationship as “brotherly.” Judging either coach’s performance at this early stage may be premature. Arbeloa has only just begun his tenure, and Alonso never had sufficient time to fully prove his methods. In that sense, Brando’s sentiment resonates: the debate over who is “better” matters little—the work they’ve done speaks for itself.