Real Madrid embracing the “power of friendship”
Real Madrid’s locker room has forged strong bonds in recent weeks with dinners, mixed martial arts... and now padel matches.
Álvaro Arbeloa has been repeating it almost like a mantra of his own invention, but as they say at the start of a movie, it’s based on real events. “It’s the power of friendship,” the Real Madrid head coach said after Los Blancos beat city rivals Atlético 3-2, despite finishing with 10 men.
It’s a line Arbeoa had already uttered on several earlier occasions to explain the essence of this Madrid side that has emerged since February’s Champions League knockout-phase playoff against Benfica. A team that’s united, selfless, joyful - and therefore extremely dangerous.
A tight-knit locker room
In what has been a turbulent season, the Real Madrid locker room has been forging and tightening bonds. That’s evident in how often they’re seen together outside the walls of Valdebebas. Beyond February’s much‑talked‑about team‑building dinner at a well‑known restaurant in Madrid, last Friday as many as 12 players attended a mixed martial arts event at the city’s Vistalegre arena.
And that hasn’t been the only outing - the latest excuse to spend time together is… padel. Bit by bit, point by point, it’s a sport that’s catching on within the squad and helping to lay the foundation for even stronger internal relationships.
Yesterday, Fede Valverde took to social media to share several photos from a private match he played just a few days ago: he teamed up with Vinícius Júnior… against Brahim Díaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Englishman caught the padel bug at Liverpool, thanks to former Reds boss Jürgen Klopp, and Vinícius has even gone so far as to build a court at home so he can practice.
Squad’s good vibes a Real boost
These are all signs the club loves to see - and ones that spark genuine optimism. A locker room that’s tightly knit, a group that shields itself like the Roman legions’ famous tortoise formation. That unity fuels them through challenges like the derby, which they overcame despite falling behind early and being forced to survive the final stretch a man down - and for everything that lies ahead. And there’s a lot ahead, starting with Bayern Munich in two weeks.
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