Carvajal Appears to Criticize Alexander-Arnold During Match

Incident Dani Carvajal was captured on television appearing to criticize Trent Alexander-Arnold's defensive work rate during Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with Real Betis on Friday evening. The Spanish defender, watching from the substitutes' bench, made gestures suggesting Alexander-Arnold was not sprinting back quickly enough.

Carvajal indicated that Alexander-Arnold was walking rather than running during one play. Carvajal was also seen whispering to a fellow substitute, though the content remains unclear.

has established himself as the preferred right-back for Real Madrid, starting in five of the previous six fixtures. This has left Carvajal on the bench, including during the stalemate at the Benito Villamarín stadium. Spanish media reported tensions between Carvajal and manager Alvaro Arbeloa over team selection, but Arbeloa dismissed such suggestions.

“Trent Alexander-Arnold is showing a great level. His performance is beyond doubt. Arbeloa addressed the matter, stating the brevity was not aimed at Carvajal and that people were putting an unfair spin on it. He praised Carvajal as possibly the most important academy product in the club's history. Arbeloa also declined to speculate on Carvajal's contract, which expires at the end of the current campaign, saying it was between Carvajal and the club.”

has featured just once for England under Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel appears to prefer other options such as Reece James and Ben White. Alexander-Arnold is widely expected to miss out on the World Cup this summer.