Arbeloa Interview on Being a Canterano

By: Corey | October 9th, 2009

Alvaro Arbeloa did an interview awhiles back about being a canterano and eventually turning out for the first team. I had it stock translated so its a little messy, but you should get the general point. I always find it interesting to see how cantera players feel about playing for the first, and in this point Arbeloa took the extreme long way around to getting in to the first team. Not that its a bad thing, but his thoughts on the experience are worth a read. Its also worth noting that some of his experiences could mirror what players like Dani Parejo, Agus, Palanca and Negredo are going through this season as they battle for a recall come the summer of 2010.

Here is the poorly translated article:

Alvaro Arbeloa is a canterano of pro, a person and soccer player example whom after passing through the categories inferiors of Real Madrid, a day he had to leave the Club to continue demonstrating that amply he was enabled to comprise of the first madridista group. Said and done. Today next to Raul, Squares, Guti or Granero, comprise of that select nucleus of soccer players who have happened through the Factory and have obtained their dream. Who was going it to you to say years ago.

Before player of the quarry and now you are the lateral one of the Real Madrid, that aspire to gain it everything, and of the Spanish, favorite Selection to obtain the World-wide one. I have arrived here with very many work, and is certain that years ago he was unthinkable. One fought to arrive up to here but it is seen too much far. The things have gone to me well and now I am where I am, fighting by everything and happy in Real Madrid. You already secured the ascent with Castile, you remember certainly it very well… Clearly, those things do not forget. It was a wished ascent very reason why it supposes the Club to have to the branch in Second Division. It was special we obtained because it in Santiago Bernabéu before 60,000 people.

All those memories are tuna, hopefully that can soon repeat something thus with Castile of now. Forms leave from the history of the Afredo I gave Stefano. It was called on to us to inaugurate the field. Memory that returned of a party with the first equipment and we later released it, before the Malaga B, a party that we were able to gain and del that I keep a good memory. And now the first equipment counts on a strong presence of canteranos like you. Yes, that is what we want all. To be an equipment of first world-wide stature and that there is presence of quarry players.

There are three players who take more than ten years here that are canteranos and have demonstrated the level that they have. Those that we come from down we want to demonstrate that also we are enabled to play in this equipment. He is impressive to see as it receives the Bernabéu to the men of the house. In the case of Grain Esteban and mine, we have been able to demonstrate that we have the level sufficient to be in the elite and we have gained the right to be in the first equipment.

No longer we are those lads that requested an opportunity and I believe that people thank for it to you. We, by all means, are enchanted. What him makes special to a canterano? In principle, nothing especially. You are not going to play better or worse for being a canterano, but one has sucked what is Real Madrid from down, perfectly knows the Club and its philosophy, and the love to this has it shield more ingrained than people than can come from outside.

Speaking of the cantera, Castilla played against Tenerife B in their league campaign this past weekend, and drew 2-2. Real Madrid C prospect Samu got the start up front with Szalai and scored the games first goal, so interesting to see if he continue to push in to the Castilla team. The midfield continue to look a little underwhelmed on the creative side according to reports, and players like Victor Merchan may be in the mind of coach Alejandro Melendez as he looks for more creativity in a midfield shorn of several creative type this past season.

Considering Arbeloa’s experiences in the cantera and how he developed, I think its worth noting how a player like Samu could eventually end up in the first team some day.

Ficha Técnica

Tenerife B: Toño Ramírez; Jesús, Hernández, Alexis, Rsoquete, Julio de Dios, Juan Ramón, Airam, Germán, Yisomar, Guayo.

Real Madrid Castilla: Adán; Gary, Juanan, Luis Hernández, Marcos Alonso; Mateos, Mosquera, Vázquez (Marcos Tébar, 54’), Raúl Ruiz (Juanfran, 53’); Samu y Szalai (Rubén Ramos, 63’)

Goles: 0-1 Samu (2’); 0-2 Vázquez (42’); 1-2 Airam (62’); 2-2 Airam (86’)