Ceballos Tells Arbeloa to Stay Away as Stunning Rift Ends Real Madrid Spell

A dramatic bust-up at Real Madrid has effectively ended Dani Ceballos's time at the Bernabéu, with the midfielder having told manager Alvaro Arbeloa to cease all communication with him.

Ceballos, who arrived from Real Betis for £15m in 2017 and has since racked up over 200 appearances for Los Blancos, has not kicked a ball since his error contributed to a 2-1 loss against Osasuna back in February. While a spell on the sidelines through injury kept him out in March, his return to fitness in early April has yielded nothing – he remains frozen out of the squad.

According to reports, the breakdown came last Friday when Ceballos was omitted from the travelling party for the Real Betis fixture. A conversation in Arbeloa's office sparked the rift, with Ceballos subsequently informing his teammates that he had instructed the manager they should have no further dealings with one another. The midfielder's warning to his fellow players was framed as a matter of respect, though it carried clear undertones of a personal grievance with Arbeloa.

The 29-year-old, who spent time at Arsenal earlier in his career, is understood to have initiated the sit-down with his boss. What transpired was an "unpleasant face-to-face" that has left Ceballos convinced the relationship is irreparably damaged. He has now decided he will not make himself available for selection going forward.

The club's hierarchy, keen to avoid additional turmoil during a chaotic campaign, have predictably thrown their weight behind the manager. Real Madrid's view is that Ceballos has deliberately engineered this conflict as a means of securing an exit and to provide cover for his lack of playing time. Nevertheless, the departure is unlikely to trouble them greatly – shedding the midfielder's wages, which reportedly stand at £170,000 per week, presents an opportunity to free up funds for recruitment or to nurture younger talent.

An exit was always on the cards regardless. Ceballos came close to joining Marseille last summer before negotiations collapsed at the final hurdle. A sentimental return to his boyhood club Real Betis holds obvious appeal on both emotional and sporting grounds, though his astronomical wage packet will prove a considerable obstacle. Other suitors, spanning both La Liga and foreign leagues, are said to be monitoring developments with interest should a cut-price deal materialise.