Alvaro Arbeloa is a football manager and former player from Spain. He played as a left-back for top clubs like Real Madrid, and Liverpool. He became popular for his job as an interim headcoach of the Real Madrid football club. He reached the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid before being knocked out by Bayern Munich. He is a football manger with a deeply blocked and quick transitions playing style.
Alvaro Arbeloa
Profession: Football Manager
Born: January 17, 1983
Age: 43 years old
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Salamanca, Spain
Known for: Former player and Football Manager at Real Madrid.
Profile Overview
Alvaro Arbeloa was born in Salamanca, and his family moved to Zaragoza when he was just four years of age.
He began his career at the youth level with Zaragoza and later joined Real Madrid youth academy.
He spent three seasons with Real Madrid reserve team before he eventually made his debut for the main team in a 1-1 away draw with Real Betis, on October 16, 2004. At Real Madrid, he won La Liga: 2011-12, Copa Del Rey: 2010-11, 2013-14, FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, and UEFA Super Cup: 2014.
He joined Deportivo La Coruña on July 24, 2006, with Real Madrid having 50% of any transfer occurring in the folloiwng three years.
He joined Liverpool on January 31, 2007, and made his Premier League debut in a 2-1 away loss to Newcastle United on February 10.
He returned to Real Madrid on five-year contract on July 29, 2009, for a reported fee of £5 million. He played majorly as a left-back in his first season and scored his first goal in a 3-0 victory against Xerez CD, on February 10, 2013.
He signed for West Ham United for one year, on August 31, 2016, and made his debut in a 1-0 home victory over Accrington Stanley on September 21. He eventually retired from football in June 2017.
He represented Spain at the youth stage from under-17 to under-21 levels. He made his debut for the Spanish national team in a match against Italy, on March 26, 2008. He was called up for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup as Sergio Ramos backup. He was also included in the Euro 2012 due to Carles Puyol’s absence.
Alvaro Arbeloa became the manager of Real Madrid under-14 side in September 2020, and progressed to the Juvenil A two years later. He replaced Raul as the manager of Castilla team on May 28, 2025 and later promoted to the first team to replace Xabi Alonso who was sacked after a 3-2 loss to Barcelona at the Super Cup final, on January 11, 2026. He has been able to manage top players like Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, and Brahim Diaz.
Career Timeline
- 1995-2001 – Zaragoza (youth)
- 2001-2002 – Real Madrid (youth)
- 2002-2003 – Real Madrid C
- 2003-2006 – Real Madrid B
- 2005-2005 – Real Madrid
- 2006-2007 – Deportivo La Coruña
- 2007-2009 – Liverpool – 66 apps, 2 goals
- 2009-2016 – Real Madrid- 153 apps, 3 goals
- 2016-2017- West Ham United – 3 apps
Personal Details
- Alternative name: Alvaro Arbeloa Coca
- Nationality: Spanish
- Religion: Christianity
- Height: 6 feet 0 in (1.84 m)
- Parents: Marisol Coca
- Siblings: Raul Arbeloa, Yago Arbeloa
- Spouse: Carlota Ruiz (m. 2009)
- Children: Raul Arbeloa
- Official website: Instagram – @arbeloa
Trivia
- He got his ‘Rocky’ nickname for his resilience and toughness on the field of play.
- He became fluent in Emglish during his time in the Premier League.
- He played in all three major tournaments for Spain which include; Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, and Euro 2012.
- He won the treble with Real Madrid’s youth team.
- He often make use high press, defence solidity and counter attacks for his coaching tactics.
