Real Madrid secured a 2-0 victory against Espanyol on Sunday, but the win was overshadowed by another injury concern. Ferland Mendy, the left-back, appeared to sustain a thigh injury early in the match at the RCDE Stadium.
It was evident that Mendy would need to be replaced. While many anticipated Alvaro Carreras would come on, coach Alvaro Arbeloa made a surprising decision to bring on Fran Garcia instead. This choice elicited a reaction from Carreras that has since gone viral on social media.
La reacción de Álvaro Carreras con que Arbeloa eligió a Fran García antes que a él tras la lesión de Mendy. pic.twitter.com/G59SUb1kgn
— MT2 (@madrid_total2) May 3, 2026
Carreras’ subtle grin, visible during the La Liga broadcast, suggested his resignation to not playing for the third time in Real Madrid’s last four games. Although he was the preferred left-back for much of the season, it now appears that Arbeloa ranks Mendy and Garcia ahead of him.
Why Was Carreras Overlooked Against Espanyol?
Many Real Madrid fans were surprised by Arbeloa’s decision to choose Garcia over Carreras. Despite a challenging period in 2026, Carreras has been one of Real Madrid’s more consistent performers throughout the season, and at 23, his potential for improvement is significant.
The reason for Carreras’ omission likely stems not from his performance, but from a potential issue with his attitude. Recent reports indicate that the Real Madrid coach has experienced friction with several Spanish players in his squad. While discussions have focused on issues with Dani Carvajal and Dani Ceballos, Carreras is also reportedly experiencing a strained relationship with his manager.
Given this situation, it wouldn’t be surprising if Carreras sees limited playing time in Real Madrid’s remaining four matches this season, beginning with the upcoming El Clasico at the Spotify Camp Nou.