Footage broadcast on Spanish television during Real Madrid’s 1-1 La Liga draw with Real Betis at La Cartuja has gone viral after showing club captain Dani Carvajal apparently mocking teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold from the substitutes’ bench, in what has become the most visible sign yet of the mounting tension between the two right backs at the Bernabeu.

The clip, captured by Movistar Plus, showed Carvajal watching from the bench as Alexander-Arnold jogged rather than sprinted back into a defensive position during a Betis counterattack. The veteran Spaniard was then filmed using his fingers to mimic a walking motion, a gesture widely interpreted as a pointed dig at the former Liverpool man’s defensive urgency.

Carvajal was seen covering his mouth while speaking to a fellow substitute, though the contents of that conversation were not audible.

Manager Alvaro Arbeloa moved quickly to distance himself from any suggestion of a squad crisis, insisting the incident had been taken out of context and that people were trying to put an unfair spin on what was a private moment on the bench. He praised Carvajal as arguably the most important academy product in the history of Real Madrid while also defending his selection of Alexander-Arnold, saying the Englishman is showing a great level and deserves to play.

Arbeloa reiterated his long-standing position that he does not gift minutes to anyone and that every selection is made purely on merit and on what he believes gives the team the best chance of winning.

The tension has been building for months. Arbeloa held peace talks with Carvajal in March after their relationship reportedly turned difficult following the 34 year old being progressively marginalised from the starting lineup. Carvajal’s last start came in a draw against Girona on 7 April, since when he has been restricted to a brief substitute appearance and two consecutive unused substitute listings.

Alexander-Arnold arrived from Liverpool last summer on a free transfer and has made 24 appearances across all competitions, contributing five assists. While he has held down the starting role, his first season at the Bernabeu has been scrutinised heavily in Spain, with newspaper MARCA describing him as having shown more weaknesses than strengths, particularly defensively.

With Carvajal’s contract expiring this summer and no confirmation of renewal, the prospect that his storied 12 year association with the club could end without a dignified send-off adds another dimension to an already complicated dressing room dynamic.

Both players also face World Cup uncertainty. Alexander-Arnold has been largely overlooked by England manager Thomas Tuchel and is fighting to force his way into the squad, while Carvajal’s lack of game time leaves his case to Luis de la Fuente for Spain in an equally difficult position.

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