The Intersection Road Of Arbeloa

via theworldgame.sbs.com.au/

At the intersection, we realize that the end of the road is not just one. Unlike a marathon run when we started we already know where we're going to finish and end.

No need to be like George, the old man who had stepped on an 80 years old but still resilient, sincere and wholehearted loves his wife, Anne, the woman who was paralyzed in the movie Amour Directed by Michael Haneke. Nor should like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi or Carles Puyol, who during his life just spent his time in one football club that he loved.

There was the time we don't have to finish something up because of the inability of the finish line. Not necessarily have what we love because of its limitations. Also do not have to endure in one club we love while the Club was already feeling no need of us. Now just wait for the time, how long we will be able to fight, the extent to which we will be able to survive and to the extent to which we will be sincere to something we love. However, love taught us that everything must know the boundaries and the limits that we measure up to this day.

The atmosphere suddenly being affected when old Real Madrid played their home games against Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu, on Sunday, may 8, 2016. The game was the last game at home to Madrid this season. Madrid itself is still struggling in La Liga title after previously had left behind 12 points from the standings leader FC Barcelona.

However, until the weekend 37 in La Liga, Madrid managed to crop it to just 1 point. The game was also the last game at the Bernabeu after Alvaro Arbeloa a day before the game to announce not to resume his football career in Madrid.

Arbeloa is a defender without the incredible skill and barely "mediocrity". However, the game was very special remembering what He did not only in the field but also off the field.

Shortly before the match began, many Madridista believes that He will be playing that day. Many also believe Zidane will give him a chance to play for the last time at the Bernabeu as a starter. The reason: his dedication to the Club over the years. However, the reality was reversed. No Arbeloa name in the starting XI Los Blancos that day.

In the usual position he occupied, there is Danilo. In the position of left back, has also been filled by Marcelo. Also in the central defender, already filled by Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos. The atmosphere seemed ordinary until in 79th minutes while Madrid was already replacing two players. One more chance to change players, and whether that opportunity does not also exist for Arbeloa?

However, the fate of the other said. He eventually replaced Cristiano Ronaldo in that game. The atmosphere was broken. Giant banner shaped jersey with the backs number 17 and the name Arbeloa being flown. Ramos, as captain, also could not stay silent. He appreciated the Arbeloa with removing the captain armband and then passed it on Arbeloa.

The whole Stadium roared considering its final day he plays at the Bernabeu. Shortly after the game ended, all the existing players in the field were also on the bench ran lifted Arbeloa just like a legend who gave everything for the Club.

via mirror.co.uk

His last match in Madrid was almost perfect. More perfect than parting with Iker Casillas, which led to tears at the press conference table full of pain. More festive farewell than Roberto Carlos when Madrid won the 30th Championship title in 2007. More highlighted than the farewell of Raul, Zidane, until Ruud van Nistelrooy, who left almost like normal people without the meaningful contributions.

The legend will go, and his memory will not be halted. He eventually encountered a crossroads in his life that he finally had to leave Madrid.

The Soul Of A Spartan

Since the death of Juanito Maravilla 24 years ago, Madrid almost has a minimal figure that maintains the club with a sincere heart, unto death to teach the full values of Madridismo spirit. Until He became the answer to what does Madrid need during this time. Defending player, put the body on the coach, appreciate the fans, to be the adhesive bridge between the club and the ultras sur, Madrid's hardline fans during this bad relationship with the Club's management. Twenty minutes after the match against Valencia was over, a giant banner shaped Arbeloa jersey still unfolds in the stands.

Being in Madrid since 2001, when he was 18 years old, making Arbeloa very understanding the conditions, ambition, and expectations of Madrid. It was a period in which Florentino Perez intensively built Galacticos squad. After bringing in Luis Figo (2000), Zidane (2001), Ronaldo Nazario (2002), David Beckham (2003), Michael Owen (2004), and Robinho (2005), the condition of the Madrid team changed drastically.

There was the term Zidanes to refer to the star players. There was also the term Pavones to refer to non-stars players upbringing from Academy of Madrid such as Francisco Pavon, Guti, Alvaro Meija, and Ivan Helguera. Guidelines for the players, both on and off the field, called the split with those terms.

Since then, Madrid became a collection of iconic player and a set of "successful" splitting the fans with the term Ikerista (fans of Casillas), Raulista (Raul fans), the Zidanes (Zidane fans) and so on. That's also the main reason why the achievements of Madrid Galacticos Vol 1 far from the desired standards.

The year 2006 was a period where He had to leave Madrid. Three years Arbeloa left Madrid; one-year in Deportivo La Coruna (2006-2007) and two years in Liverpool (2007-2009) to finally get back in the summer of 2009 when Florentino Perez built again Los Galacticos Vol 2 by bringing in star players as well.

Arbeloa, who was crisscrossing outside Madrid for three years, gets a very valuable lesson about how the phobia that will be faced by Madrid in the future. Since that time also, He always shows his identity, not only as a player but also as a Madridista, who is always ready for the integrity of the team.

The story began in the 2009-2010 season when Real Madrid's were coached by Manuel Pellegrini got tremendous criticism from the media. In that season, Madrid failed in the Champions League and failed to win the League. Arbeloa then conducted their own press conference by calling the journalists and describe the teams condition is very good, and players are happy trained by Pellegrini.

Although finally Pellegrini was sacked and replaced by Jose Mourinho, what Arbeloa did is remembered to this day.

In may 2012, when Madrid won the League for the 32 time. The issue about Gonzalo's move being strengthen. At that time Higuain has asked every player, the coaching staff, to some representatives Madridista, to sign his jersey. However, there was a surprise in the Madrid title celebrations in Cibeles at that time. Arbeloa took the microphone and sang: "quedate Pipita, Pipita quedate, Pipita quedate.." (Pipita--Higuain nickname--hang in). Until finally Higuain survived in the new season and left Madrid at the end of the 2012-2013 season.

In September 2012, when Cristiano Ronaldo scored, while Madrid's 3-0 win over Granada in La Liga, a lot of speculation at the time, said that Ronaldo was not comfortable in Madrid, Ronaldo wants to move, until the issue of Ronaldo was not appreciated by Madrid. Arbeloa was the first to meet Ronaldo and ask him open to everything about Madrid.

Shortly after that, he made writing and uploading her picture along with Ronaldo on his Twitter account: "I am here with you, bro, don't sad." Until finally in September 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo extended his contract until 2018.

The story continues in the quarterfinals of the Copa Del Rey in January 2013, when Messi reportedly insulted the wife of Arbeloa, Carlota Luiz, who at the time was pregnant with the taunt of "Bobo" in the parking lot of Santiago Bernabeu. He just smiled and said, "he does not want to fight with children."

He always defended his teammate until he called Spartan. Arbeloa was present when Madridista whistled Antonio Adan. He did not run when Diego Lopez got criticism from Ikerista. He also tried to calm the cold war between Casillas and Mourinho at the end of the 2012-2013 season.
He wore a shirt "Live Forever" as his promise to Madridista named Van Palomain who didn't get to see Madrid won La Decima for died first as a result of a train accident. Arbeloa also people who stood at the front when Gerard Pique mocked Madrid and was ready for "war" on social media with Pique.

There are many others special treatment which was done for Arbeloa to Madrid. It is also one of the reasons why to this day he persisted in Madrid when he is already stepping 33 years old. Currently playing time was minimal because his skills are considered mediocre.

However, everything must know the limits. Limits that's what we see when Arbeloa had to leave Madrid. Admittedly this will be a tough moment for the players, the Club, and Madridista. However, whatever it is, the Madridismo spirit and Spartan soul of Arbeloa will always live in Madrid.

Live Forever, Cap17an.

via guim.co.uk