Arbeloa: Mourinho taught me not to be afraid of defending your club

Alvaro Arbeloa spoke exclusively to MARCA about his pending departure from Real Madrid and his friendship with the club's former coach Jose Mourinho. The Spaniard has been with Real for 11 years, playing for both the youth and first teams.

He was an integral part of Jose Mourinho's squad as Los Blancos won their 32nd league title with a record 100 points tally and the two share a special affection for each other.

"Mourinho has helped me not only in football but personally," Arbeloa said.

"The treatment of the press towards me has been very different in that sense. He taught me not to be afraid of defending your club.

"That's a legacy that Mourinho instilled in me and what I will always be grateful for.

Arbeloa has not been shy of causing a nuisance of himself on social media after constant exchanges with Barcelona's Gerard Pique, leading Spanish football legends Carles Puyol and Iker Casillas to ask them to end their dispute.

"I think people have seen me as someone who fights for my club, despite the consequences it has for me," the former Liverpool player added.

"But I did what I had to do, which is to defend [Real] above all else."

As the curtain comes down on his time at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Arbeloa said he has a clear mind and described his time at the club with the motto 'we ride together, we die together'.

"It's a way to express to the fans that when we're all together we're stronger, because our success is shared with everyone.

"I don't know [if I have any regrets], but I have a clear conscience.

"I think I would do almost everything the same [if I were to relive my spell at Real]."