A large chunk of Real Madrid academy talents end up seeking opportunities elsewhere with competition in the first team always seen as a roadblock to their growth and development.
Sergio Arribas joined Real Madrid’s youth program in 2012, and he was a member of the team for more than ten years.
However, last summer, the talented midfielder joined Almeria for €6 million as the Merengues retained 50% of his rights, a formula they have opted for with many of their bright talents hitting the exit door.
Arribas has regularly featured for Almeria this season, notching seven goals and assists thus far.
Speaking in an interview recently, he touched upon Real Madrid’s new star Jude Bellingham, and the reason behind his departure from his boyhood club.
Praise for Bellingham
When asked to comment on the Englishman, Arribas acknowledged his growth caught him by surprise, a viewpoint many onlookers in Europe share, considering the difficulties foreigners find adapting to Real Madrid.
“I didn’t expect the impact he has had at Real Madrid, it is the best team in the world and he has adapted very well,” he stated, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Further shedding light on the 20-year-old, Arribas went on to claim he will leave an indelible impact in football, saying: “He is a player who is going to mark an era.”
Taste for first-team football
Arribas has racked up 14 appearances for Real Madrid’s first squad. However, due to competition for spots in the center of the park, it was decided that leaving would be the best course of action for the 22-year-old to advance his career.
When asked why he left Real Madrid, Arribas admitted he required regularity in the first division, something which was not plausible with the ever-growing competition at Real Madrid.
“I needed to get out of Castilla, I needed to go to a Primera División to get experience, to have minutes,” he stated.
The young Spaniard has played 22 games this campaign for Almeria and produced some special exhibitions against the ‘big three’ of La Liga.
Arribas scored against Real Madrid early in the campaign, enjoyed a great exhibition against Atletico Madrid despite being on the losing end, and assisted against Barcelona.
