Alaba Faces Uncertain Future at Real Madrid Amidst Limited Playing Time

omidbasir- David Alaba has become another contentious issue for coach Álvaro Arbeloa within the Real Madrid locker room. Similar to the situation with Dani Carvajal, Alaba has expressed his dissatisfaction to the coach regarding his limited playing time. He is perplexed by his lack of involvement, which he has communicated to Arbeloa, who is already managing discontent from another player concerning their current performance circumstances.

Alaba’s case closely resembles that of Carvajal, but it has garnered less media attention and is considered less problematic for the coach. This is partly due to the fact that Alaba’s days at Real Madrid appear to be numbered, as his contract ends in June, and there are no plans for renewal. This impending farewell will be challenging for the player, whose situation shows little promise of improvement in the remaining months of his tenure at the club.

Upon his return, Alaba anticipated a more significant role and impact on the team. However, the reality has been starkly different. Not even the defensive challenges that the team has faced have granted him additional opportunities to participate on the pitch. Alaba made his comeback from a muscle injury on December 20 against Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu, after being sidelined for a month. Since his return, he has struggled to secure a place in the lineup, appearing in only five matches out of eleven consecutive call-ups, with a mere total of 65 minutes played. This record is disappointing for a player of his caliber, experience, and stature, and it contradicts Arbeloa’s approach, which now includes options like Asencio, Huijsen, and Rüdiger.

The fairytale that began with Alaba’s arrival at Real Madrid quickly turned bittersweet. After two successful seasons as a key figure in the team’s defense and captain during the conquest of the 14th Champions League title, he suffered a severe knee injury in December 2023. Since then, his journey has been plagued by injuries that have repeatedly hindered his ability to regain the consistency needed to be impactful. As he enters the final year of his contract, he has not managed to achieve this continuity, leading the club to decide against offering him a renewal and confirming his imminent departure.