Real Madrid faced another setback, drawing 1-1 against Real Betis at La Cartuja on Friday night. The match unfolded without Dani Ceballos, who has played for both clubs, and was notably absent from the squad. Aurelien Tchouameni also missed the game due to a late injury, leading to Manuel Angel making a late appearance and Thiago Pitarch stepping in for Tchouameni in the starting lineup. Youngsters Diego Aguado and Jorge Cestero were included as well, highlighting a shift towards youth in the team's strategy.

After the match, Arbeloa expressed his frustration with the refereeing decisions but remained tight-lipped when questioned about Ceballos' absence. When asked directly about the midfielder's exclusion, Arbeloa stated, "I always bring the players that I consider appropriate," and deflected further inquiries regarding any potential issues between him and Ceballos.

As speculation mounts, Dani Ceballos, now 29 years old, has become a peripheral figure at Real Madrid, with only a year left on his contract. His future with the club appears uncertain, and this summer is shaping up to be a critical period, as he is widely expected to seek a new opportunity away from Santiago Bernabeu.