Real Madrid: Arbeloa touched by praise from ‘great friend’ Mourinho ahead of Benfica clash

Alvaro Arbeloa credits Jose Mourinho with a huge influence on his coaching career, and the Real Madrid coach will face his mentor on Wednesday with words of praise and affection still ringing in his ears when Los Blancos take on Benfica in the Champions League.

After making an inauspicious start to his tenure as Madrid boss with a shock Copa del Rey defeat to Segunda side Albacete, Xabi Alonso’s successor has seen his side reel off three successive wins, including a 6-1 Champions League thrashing of Monaco. Madrid’s league wins over Levante and Villareal have cut the gap to leaders Barcelona to one point.

Madrid visit Benfica in the final round of fixtures in the league phase of the Champions League. A win would secure a place in the top eight and progression straight through to the last 16. Should Bayern Munich lose to PSV Eindhoven, a victory could see Madrid clinch a top-two berth and away second legs throughout the knockout rounds.

While Arbeloa will be under pressure to ensure Madrid do not have to contest the playoff round, he is excited at the prospect of reuniting with his former boss Mourinho.

Arbeloa played for Mourinho during the Portuguese’s spell as Madrid coach from 2010 to 2013.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of a game Benfica must win to have a hope of extending their Champions League campaign, Mourinho said that Arbeloa “might not have been among the best players he had at Real Madrid, but maybe he was one of the best”.

Arbeloa was a keen observer of that press conference, and had some similarly effusive praise for “The Special One”.

“Yes, yes, of course. I didn’t miss the mister’s press conference,” Arbeloa said.

“I didn’t miss them when I was a player and we’d show them all in the dressing room… and I didn’t miss them today either. It was a tremendous honour to hear everything he said about me.

“I’m emotional and happy because he’s been much more than just a coach to me. Above all, on a personal level, he’s been very important throughout my entire career. Today, I also consider him a great friend. From here, I want to thank him for all his kind words. I’m really looking forward to seeing him tomorrow and giving him a big hug.”

Arbeloa not looking to be another Mourinho

Though he is an inspiration to Arbeloa, the former Liverpool defender made it clear he has no desire to model himself after Mourinho.

“A role model, of course,” Arbeloa added of Mourinho. “I said it on the first day: there will never be anyone like Jose. Anyone who tries to imitate him will fail. And I’ve understood that from day one.

“My success will be being myself. And obviously, within that ‘being Alvaro Arbeloa,’ there’s a significant part of his influence, as well as everything he represented. And I was able to learn from him on a communicative and tactical level. Tomorrow we’ll face each other, and I know he’ll want to win because I know how competitive he is. But so will I. And the most important thing will be those 90 minutes.

“I’m very grateful to all of [my managers], ever since I was a little boy. [Joaquin] Caparros, who gave me confidence and allowed me to make the leap to Liverpool. Then [Rafael] Benitez, who was key. I returned to Real Madrid and worked with some great coaches. I’ve been very lucky.

“That’s what football teaches you; there’s no single path to success. They were all good leaders with great ideas and concepts.”