Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa has expressed his delight at reaching 200 games for the club.
The 31-year-old grew up in the youth teams at the Santiago Bernabeu but left for Deportivo La Coruña in 2006 as he failed to get regular first team football in the Spanish capital.
But the Spain international returned in 2009, after a short stint in the Premier League with Liverpool, to establish himself as a first choice in the team. In his five seasons since his return, Arbeloa has lifted the Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercopa and European Super Cup.
And speaking to the club’s official website, he said he is targeting more glory – starting with the World Club Championship in December.
“For a youth academy player like me to have played 200 games for Real Madrid is unimaginable,” he said.
And he added: “We hope to win the Club World Cup in December so we can then say we have won everything with Real Madrid. This is my sixth season here and there is nothing greater in the world of football than winning with Real Madrid.”
Asked to pick a highlight over the last few years, Arbeloa said: “It is hard for people to understand how important it was to win for a team you have watched since you were a kid and witnessed your heroes win the European Cup.”
