“Arbeloa is fiercer and less tolerant than Xabi Alonso”
Jesé Rodríguez, currently playing for Las Palmas in LaLiga2, offered an in‑depth look at both his current club and former team Real Madrid during an appearance on the radio show *El Larguero* on Cadena SER. The 32‑year‑old forward touched on promotion ambitions, the Champions League, the much-discussed behavior of Vinícius Júnior, and the coaching profiles of former teammates Álvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso.
Speaking about the Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Benfica, Jesé underlined that the Spanish giants seem to be regaining momentum at just the right time. According to him, the team has clearly improved in recent weeks: “Compared to a month ago, I see Madrid in much better shape. They have every chance to go through.” He emphasized that when Madrid find rhythm and confidence, they immediately become one of the most dangerous sides in Europe.
One of the hottest topics of the interview was the alleged on‑field confrontation between Gianluca Prestianni and Vinícius Júnior. Jesé responded firmly to claims that there had been an offensive exchange between the two. “Covering your mouth with your shirt while talking always looks suspicious,” he said. “If you really have something to say to a player, you say it to his face, clearly. I don’t think Vinícius would start a problem for no reason.”
The former Real Madrid attacker also reflected more broadly on the way Vinícius is constantly scrutinized, particularly his reactions on the pitch. Jesé defended the Brazilian, insisting that the public often underestimates what he endures every game: “He’s an incredibly talented player, but he’s always on the receiving end of hard tackles and insults. People see his reactions, but they don’t always see what comes before. Being in his position is far from easy.”
Jesé pointed out that the combination of youth, expectations and constant provocation can push any player to the limit. He suggested that while Vinícius still has room to mature emotionally, the responsibility should not rest solely on the Brazilian’s shoulders: referees, rivals and even teammates need to contribute to creating a healthier competitive environment. In his eyes, what is sometimes labeled as “provocative behavior” is often a natural response from a player who feels attacked and unfairly targeted.
The conversation then moved to the touchline, where Jesé analyzed the personalities of former teammates who have now become coaches. Asked about José Mourinho, he offered a nuanced view of the Portuguese manager’s often polarizing style: “Mourinho is the kind of coach who will always defend his team no matter what. That’s his character. Sometimes it creates controversy, but that’s also why many players love him. He protects his group.”
Jesé reserved particularly interesting comments for Álvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso, both of whom are now building reputations as promising managers. Having shared a dressing room with them at Real Madrid, he feels he saw early signs of what they would later become on the bench. “From the way they worked daily – pushing teammates, sharing information, correcting tactical details – it was obvious both had the mentality to become very good coaches,” he explained.
However, Jesé drew a clear distinction in their temperaments. “Álvaro has a stronger character than Xabi,” he stated. “He’s fiercer, more combative, and much less tolerant of losing. That intensity was visible even when we were players. He hates defeat, even in training, and that edge can be very useful as a coach if you know how to channel it.” According to Jesé, Arbeloa’s demanding nature and refusal to accept complacency are exactly the traits that can drive a squad to higher standards.
Xabi Alonso, in contrast, was described as more serene yet equally authoritative. Jesé highlighted Xabi’s calm leadership and tactical intelligence: “With Xabi, it was about control and understanding of the game. He spoke less, but when he did, everyone listened. He could read situations before they happened.” In Jesé’s opinion, the contrast between Arbeloa’s fiery approach and Xabi’s more measured style shows that there are different ways to succeed on the touchline, as long as the message is clear and consistent.
Beyond his reflections on former colleagues, Jesé also discussed his own present and future with Las Palmas. The forward made it clear that the club’s major objective is to secure promotion back to La Liga. He did not hide the difficulty of the task: “This league is extremely demanding. Every match is a battle, and a bad run can cost you dearly. But if we stay calm, keep our focus and continue working hard, we can achieve our goal.” For Jesé, stability and patience are just as important as talent at this level.
He went on to praise the atmosphere at Las Palmas, stressing how much the club and the island mean to him personally. Having returned to a familiar environment, Jesé says he feels both responsibility and motivation to help the team move forward. He even left the door open to closing out his playing days in the yellow shirt: he is open to finishing his career at the club if both sides continue to share the same ambitions. That type of long‑term commitment, he suggested, can be a key factor in building a solid project.
The attacker also reflected on how his experience at big clubs like Real Madrid has shaped his outlook in the second tier. He argued that playing at the highest level teaches you how to manage pressure and expectations, something he now tries to pass on to younger teammates. According to Jesé, explaining to them how to handle criticism, how to respond to setbacks and how to stay professional in difficult moments is as important as what happens in front of goal.
Returning to the broader topic of player behavior, Jesé insisted that footballers are often judged only on isolated images. Gestures, heated words and confrontations are replayed repeatedly, while the context is rarely given equal weight. In his view, the debate surrounding players like Vinícius should include the constant verbal abuse and aggressive defending they face, as well as the psychological demands of performing under the spotlight every three days.
He also stressed the role of coaches – like Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso or Mourinho – in guiding players through these challenges. A demanding coach can help channel a player’s energy, turning anger into competitiveness and frustration into motivation. Jesé believes that the managers who truly understand the emotional side of the game are the ones who get the best out of their squads, especially in clubs where the pressure is relentless.
In the end, Jesé’s interview painted a wide‑ranging picture: a Las Palmas player fighting for promotion, a former Real Madrid talent still closely following his old club, a defender of Vinícius in the face of constant criticism, and an insider observer of a new generation of coaches forged from that legendary Madrid dressing room. Between Arbeloa’s fiery character, Xabi Alonso’s calm authority and Mourinho’s combative style, Jesé sees many different, but equally valid, ways of leading a team – as long as the passion for winning, and the refusal to accept defeat easily, remain at the core.