Álvaro Arbeloa

Arbeloa was born in Salamanca, Castile and León, relocating with his family to Zaragoza at the age of four. He started playing football at local Real Zaragoza, joining Real Madrid's youth system at the age of 18.{{cite web|url=http://www.defensacentral.com/madridismo/67430-arbeloa-vida-trayectoria-espartano-goles-videos-biografia-/|title=Álvaro Arbeloa, el espartano incansable|trans-title=Álvaro Arbeloa, the tireless spartan|publisher=Defensa Central|first=Carlos|last=Carrasco|language=es|date=19 February 2012|access-date=19 June 2013}}

Arbeloa spent three full seasons with Real Madrid Castilla, the reserve team, two of those spent in the Segunda División B. In 2004–05, he contributed 32 games and one goal – playoffs included – as they returned to Segunda División after a 14-year absence. On 16 October 2004, he made his La Liga debut with the main squad, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 away draw against Real Betis.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2004/10/17/pagina-14/1402766/pdf.html|title=Ni ambición|trans-title=No ambition|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=José Luis|last=Artús|language=es|date=17 October 2004|access-date=19 June 2013}}

On 24 July 2006, Arbeloa signed for Deportivo de La Coruña, with Real Madrid being entitled to 50% of any transfer occurring in the following three years.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2006/07/24/mas_futbol/1153692022_850215.html|title=El Real Madrid traspasa a Alvaro Arbeloa al Deportivo de La Coruña|trans-title=Real Madrid transfer Alvaro Arbeloa to Deportivo de La Coruña|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=24 July 2006|access-date=12 April 2020}} He said of his departure: "This is a strange situation for me; I have been playing for Real Madrid for five years, since I was 16", adding "Real always has the best players. There were eight defenders in the squad, something had to give in."{{cite web|url=http://86400.es/2006/07/25/alvaro-arbeloa-se-marcha-al-depor/|title=Alvaro Arbeloa se marcha al Depor|trans-title=Alvaro Arbeloa goes to Depor|publisher=86400|language=es|date=25 July 2006|access-date=19 June 2013}}

Over a six-month spell with the team from Galicia, Arbeloa featured in 21 official games, 18 of his league appearances being complete.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2006/09/29/mas_futbol/1159511228_850215.html|title=Arbeloa es el ex jugador del Castilla más utilizado|trans-title=Arbeloa is the most used former Castilla player|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=29 September 2006|access-date=2 May 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vavel.com/es/futbol/2013/02/21/deportivo-de-la-coruna/218902.html|title=Yo jugué en el Dépor: Álvaro Arbeloa|trans-title=I played for Dépor: Álvaro Arbeloa|publisher=Vavel|first=Antía|last=García González|language=es|date=21 February 2013|access-date=2 May 2018}}

File:Alvaro Arbeloa.jpg

Arbeloa signed for English club Liverpool on 31 January 2007, managed by countryman Rafael Benítez.{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/reds-swoop-for-spanish-pair|title=Reds swoop for Spanish pair|publisher=Liverpool F.C.|date=31 January 2007|access-date=17 August 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6313505.stm|title=Arbeloa and Duran join Liverpool|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 January 2007|access-date=19 June 2013}} He made his Premier League debut on 10 February, replacing Jermaine Pennant for the final 15 minutes of the 2–1 away loss to Newcastle United.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6327099.stm|title=Newcastle 2–1 Liverpool|publisher=BBC Sport|first=John|last=Sinnott|date=10 February 2007|access-date=26 May 2017}}

Arbeloa made his first start for the Reds against FC Barcelona, in the 2006–07 edition of the UEFA Champions League. He featured as a left-back at the Camp Nou, as his stronger right foot could stop Lionel Messi who had a tendency to cut his runs towards the center of the field; his team won 2–1{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6371395.stm|title=Barcelona 1–2 Liverpool|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Chris|last=Bevan|date=21 February 2007|access-date=19 June 2013}} and eventually 2–2 on aggregate, with the player also featuring the full 90 minutes at Anfield.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6414877.stm|title=Liverpool 0–1 Barcelona (agg 2–2)|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty|date=6 March 2007|access-date=19 June 2013}}

Arbeloa scored his first goal for Liverpool against Reading, on 7 April 2007.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6513355.stm|title=Reading 1–2 Liverpool|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 April 2007|access-date=25 November 2009}} He replaced Steve Finnan in the last minutes of the Champions League final, a 2–1 defeat to A.C. Milan.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6669039.stm|title=AC Milan 2–1 Liverpool|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty|date=23 May 2007|access-date=19 June 2013}}

Arbeloa's squad number changed from 2 to 17 for 2007–08, due to personal preference.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/2051|title=20 questions with Alvaro Arbeloa|publisher=Liverpool F.C.|date=2007|access-date=2 May 2018}} He cemented a first-team place in that campaign, making 41 competitive appearances in a fourth-place finish.

On 17 May 2009, in a match against West Bromwich Albion, Arbeloa was involved in an on-field clash with teammate Jamie Carragher – the two had to be separated by Daniel Agger, Xabi Alonso, Emiliano Insúa and Pepe Reina. Carragher later explained that he clashed with Arbeloa as a moment of poor defending from the latter threatened the clean sheet, further explaining "we want to keep a clean sheet and we want Pepe to have a chance of the Golden Glove for the fourth season running"; Benítez refused to comment about the incident.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8038300.stm|title=West Brom 0–2 Liverpool|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Mandeep|last=Sanghera|date=17 May 2009|access-date=19 June 2013}}

File:Arbeloa2012.jpg in 2012]]

On 29 July 2009, it was announced that Real Madrid and Liverpool had reached an agreement on the transfer of Arbeloa, for a fee of £5 million and a five-year contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/es/1202777210523/noticia/Noticia/COMUNICADO_OFICIAL_2009-07-29.htm|title=Comunicado oficial|trans-title=Official announcement|publisher=Real Madrid CF|language=es|date=29 July 2009|access-date=19 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801085648/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/es/1202777210523/noticia/Noticia/COMUNICADO_OFICIAL_2009-07-29.htm|archive-date=1 August 2009}}{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01db-0e728178b046-957fd3b4025f-1000--arbeloa-completes-return-to-madrid/|title=Arbeloa completes return to Madrid|publisher=UEFA|date=29 July 2009|access-date=19 June 2013}} After the departure of Míchel Salgado and Miguel Torres, he was handed the number 2 jersey.

Arbeloa spent the vast majority of his first season in his second stint as a left-back, netting his first goal on 13 February 2010 in a 3–0 away win over Xerez CD.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/marcador/futbol/2009_10/primera/jornada_22/xer_rma/|title=Un Fórmula 1 pasa por Chapín|trans-title=A Formula 1 goes through Chapín|newspaper=Marca|first=Miguel Ángel|last=García|language=es|date=13 February 2010|access-date=26 May 2017}} His second came in the Madrid Derby on 28 March, scoring with his right foot past David de Gea in the 3–2 defeat of Atlético Madrid.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=275726&cc=5739&league=ESP.1|title=Higuain nets vital winner|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=28 March 2010|access-date=29 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622072842/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=275726&cc=5739&league=ESP.1|archive-date=22 June 2011}} Under new manager José Mourinho, he celebrated his tenth appearance in the Champions League with his first goal in the competition, netting from outside the penalty area in a 4–0 victory at AFC Ajax in the group stage.{{cite web|url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/es/1330024739600/noticia/Cronica/El_Madrid_da_una_exhibicion_ante_el_Ajax_y_pasara_como_primero_a_octavos.htm|title=El Madrid da una exhibición ante el Ajax y pasará como primero a octavos|trans-title=Madrid show powers against Ajax and will reach round of 16 as first|publisher=Real Madrid CF|first=Fernando|last=Magallón|language=es|date=23 November 2010|access-date=19 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101140826/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/es/1330024739600/noticia/Cronica/El_Madrid_da_una_exhibicion_ante_el_Ajax_y_pasara_como_primero_a_octavos.htm|archive-date=1 January 2014}}

In the 2011–12 campaign, due to Ricardo Carvalho's lengthy injury, Sergio Ramos was relocated to centre-back and Arbeloa began appearing almost exclusively on the right side of the back four. On 1 August 2012, he extended his link to the club until June 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20120726/opinion/el-sueldo-nada-espartano-de-arbeloa_54330130278.html|title=El sueldo nada espartano de Arbeloa|trans-title=Arbeloa's unspartan wages|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Óscar|last=Zárate|language=es|date=26 July 2012|access-date=30 May 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Actualidad_Primer_Equipo_en/1330112138023/noticia/ComunicadoOficial/Official_Announcement_2012-08-01.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606103647/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Actualidad_Primer_Equipo_en/1330112138023/noticia/ComunicadoOficial/Official_Announcement_2012-08-01.htm|archive-date=6 June 2013|title=Official announcement|publisher=Real Madrid CF|date=1 August 2012|access-date=1 August 2012}}

Subsequently, Arbeloa became a fringe player.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/es/news/4194/editoriales/2013/08/03/4092281/%C3%A1lvaro-arbeloa-y-los-jugadores-que-no-tienen-sitio-en-este|title=Álvaro Arbeloa y los jugadores que no tienen sitio en este Real Madrid|trans-title=Álvaro Arbeloa and the players without a place in this Real Madrid|publisher=Goal|first=Alberto|last=Piñero|language=es|date=3 August 2013|access-date=30 May 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.es/realmadrid/noticias/20150822/abci-primera-lista-benitez-illarra-201508221426.html|title=Benítez descarta a Illarra, Cheryshev y Arbeloa|trans-title=Benítez discards Illarra, Cheryshev and Arbeloa|newspaper=ABC|first=Tomás|last=González-Martín|language=es|date=22 August 2015|access-date=30 May 2016}} In 2015–16{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2016/02/10/primera/1455125838_747760.html|title=Danilo, Nacho y Arbeloa, listos para sustituir a Marcelo|trans-title=Danilo, Nacho and Arbeloa, ready to replace Marcelo|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Joaquín|last=Del Pozo|language=es|date=10 February 2016|access-date=30 May 2016}} he appeared in just nine matches in all competitions, two of those being in the Champions League which was won for the second time in three years;{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/deportes/2016/05/13/57351317268e3ea42e8b45ca.html|title=Arbeloa: "¿Un topo? Hay cosas que nunca pueden salir del vestuario"|trans-title=Arbeloa: "A snitch? Some things may never leave the locker room"|newspaper=El Mundo|first=Jaime|last=Rodríguez|language=es|date=13 May 2016|access-date=30 May 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/022d-0e957c5979eb-37493cb53cd0-1000--spot-on-real-madrid-defeat-atletico-in-final-again/|title=Spot-on Real Madrid defeat Atlético in final again|publisher=UEFA|date=28 May 2016|access-date=29 May 2016}} on 8 May 2016, he confirmed he would leave on 30 June.{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2016/05/08/primera/1462678495_671130.html|title=Arbeloa, adiós al Bernabéu|trans-title=Arbeloa, farewell to the Bernabéu|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Sergio|last=Santos Chozas|language=es|date=8 May 2016|access-date=15 July 2016}}

On 31 August 2016, Arbeloa returned to the Premier League for the first time in seven years, signing for West Ham United for one season.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/10559693/west-ham-looking-to-sign-free-agent-alvaro-arbeloa-on-one-year-deal-sky-sources|title=West Ham sign free agent Alvaro Arbeloa on one-year deal|publisher=Sky Sports|first=Lyall|last=Thomas|date=31 August 2016|access-date=31 August 2016}} He made his debut on 21 September, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 home win against Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37357930|title=West Ham United 1–0 Accrington Stanley|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 September 2016|access-date=21 September 2016}}

Arbeloa was released at the end of the campaign after having made just four competitive appearances, three in the league.{{cite web|url=https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2017/may/25-may/west-ham-united-issue-retain-list|title=West Ham United issue retain list|publisher=West Ham United F.C.|date=25 May 2017|access-date=26 May 2017}} He retired in June 2017 at the age of 34, after a professional career that spanned 15 years.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2017/06/24/594d8dec22601d48288b4593.html|title=Arbeloa retires: The time has come to say goodbye|newspaper=Marca|first=José Luis|last=Calderón|date=24 June 2017|access-date=24 June 2017}}

Arbeloa returned to Real Madrid in September 2020, being appointed manager of the under-14 side.{{cite news|url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/deportes/futbol/2020-09-12/arbeloa-real-madrid-enrenador-infantil-cantera_2745048/|title=Arbeloa y sus méritos para tener otro cargo en el Real Madrid: le dan el Infantil A|trans-title=Arbeloa and his merits to have another position at Real Madrid: they give him the Infantil A|newspaper=El Confidencial|first=Ulises|last=Sánchez-Flor|language=es|date=12 September 2020|access-date=4 November 2022}} Two years later, he progressed to the Juvenil A.{{cite news|url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/real-madrid/20220702/1001830780/oficial-arbeloa-entrenador-juvenil-real-madrid.html|title=Ya es oficial: Arbeloa, entrenador del Juvenil A del Real Madrid|trans-title=It's already official: Arbeloa, manager of Real Madrid's Juvenil A|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|language=es|date=2 July 2022|access-date=4 November 2022}}

File:Álvaro Arbeloa and Mario Balotelli Euro 2012 final.jpg]]

On 1 February 2008, Arbeloa was called up to the Spanish national team for the first time, for a friendly with France in Málaga, but he was forced to pull out because of injury.{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/footballNews/idUKL0175270120080201|title=UPDATE 2-Soccer-Krkic called up by Spain for France friendly|publisher=Reuters|first=Mark|last=Elkington|date=1 February 2008|access-date=1 February 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521031645/http://uk.reuters.com/article/footballNews/idUKL0175270120080201|archive-date=21 May 2008}} He made his debut on 26 March against Italy,{{cite news|url=https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/villa-espana-italia-363298/0/|title=España dominó y Villa culminó la victoria ante los campeones del mundo (1–0)|trans-title=Spain dominated and Villa crowned win against the world champions (1–0)|newspaper=20 minutos|first=Alberto|last=Ramos|language=es|date=27 March 2008|access-date=2 May 2018}} and was picked for UEFA Euro 2008's final stages, appearing in the first-round match against Greece (2–1 win){{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2008/7363473.stm|title=Russia 2–0 Sweden & Greece 1–2 Spain|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Andrew|last=McKenzie|date=18 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2013}} as the nation emerged victorious.

Arbeloa's versatility saw him being called up for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, again as Ramos backup. His contribution in the latter tournament, which also ended in victory, consisted of 14 minutes in the 2–0 victory over Honduras in the group phase.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_32/default.stm|title=Spain 2–0 Honduras|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Jonathan|last=Stevenson|date=21 June 2010|access-date=19 June 2013}}

Vicente del Bosque selected Arbeloa for the following tournament, Euro 2012.{{cite news|url=http://www.sport.es/es/noticias/eurocopa-2012/pedro-entra-en-la-lista-de-vicente-del-bosque-para-la-eurocopa-2012-1841224|title=Pedro entra en la lista de Vicente del Bosque para la Eurocopa 2012|trans-title=Pedro makes Vicente del Bosque squad for 2012 Eurocup|newspaper=Sport|language=es|date=27 May 2012|access-date=28 June 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/teams/122--spain/|title=History|publisher=UEFA|access-date=24 June 2017}} Due to Carles Puyol's absence, however, he was now part of the starting XI alongside Ramos, Gerard Piqué and Jordi Alba, with Spain only conceding once in six fixtures and winning the tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0252-0cdc4f07099d-36a02f333f87-1000--spain-overpower-exhausted-italy-to-win-uefa-euro-2012-final/|title=Spain overpower Italy to win UEFA EURO 2012|publisher=UEFA|first=John|last=Atkin|date=1 July 2012|access-date=28 June 2017}}

{{ESPN FC|42550}}{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/alvaro-arbeloa-coca/5239/|title=Arbeloa|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=14 May 2014}}{{UEFA player}}

• ¹ Includes League Cup and Supercopa de España.
• ² Includes UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

Liverpool

• UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2006–07{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/players/player/profile/1177|title=Álvaro Arbeloa|publisher=Liverpool F.C.|access-date=9 April 2018}}

Real Madrid

• La Liga: 2011–12
• Copa del Rey: 2010–11, 2013–14; runner-up: 2012–13
• Supercopa de España: 2012; runner-up: 2011, 2014
• UEFA Champions League: 2013–14, 2015–16
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2014
• UEFA Super Cup: 2014

Spain

• FIFA World Cup: 2010
• UEFA European Championship: 2008, 2012
• FIFA Confederations Cup runner-up: 2013; third place: 2009

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{BDFutbol|123}}
• {{Soccerbase}}
• [http://www.lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=1177 Liverpool historic profile]
• {{NFT player|24797}}
• {{FIFA player|297330}}
• {{Official website|url=http://arbeloa.com/}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Arbeloa, Alvaro}}

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