The former Real Madrid nutritionist revealed crazy details about the preparation
Real Madrid have once again been in the middle of an injury crisis this season, their backline is suffering a lot, most notably in the cases of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao, all of whom have missed significant time this season. Former nutritionist Itziar Gonzalez de Arriba revealed some details that may explain why Los Blancos have been more affected by the overcrowding of matches than other sides.
Gonzalez de Arriba filed a complaint against Real Madrid for the abuse he received while employed at Valdebebas, revealing threats, torture and psychological abuse, explaining that he continues to suffer from nightmares as a result. However, from a fitness perspective, some of his answers also raised eyebrows.
Coming into the 2021-22 season, Gonzalez de Arriba explained to Marca that Real Madrid did not have a nutritionist working with him before then.
“The first group does not have a healthy food section because the doctor who was in charge until I arrived told me that diet and supplements have nothing to do with injuries and working well, the chef is the one who chooses the food.”
Gonzalez de Arriba describes the impact of the nutritional regime
After working individually with Dani Carvajal and Rodrygo Goes, Gonzalez de Arriba was then hired by Real Madrid to take care of the first team. Carvajal in particular has come back from injury to spend two seasons almost without injury problems.
“There are players who improve significantly and talk about it in the locker room. One no longer has the pains he has had for months, one no longer has the cramps he always carries; one says he doesn’t get tired, another says he is faster and faster; and above all, many say they don’t get tired and can continue playing past 90 minutes without a problem.”
“Two of these players told me that they told the president directly. The fact that the players said this and linked it to nutritional changes and food supplements creates unbearable hatred from the Medical Services and food store workers, and 13 days after signing the contract, I am asking to terminate it and not return. But I was told by the management to fix everything and strengthen the president.”
‘The health workers told the players not to follow the instructions’
Gonzalez de Arriba was only praising President Florentino Perez and the players of Real Madrid, but he pointed out that the medical department at the club deliberately interfered with his work.
“They are very nice. I couldn’t talk to them much because the Medical Services put all kinds of obstacles in my way, and they are the ones who asked me to leave so they could talk to me, as it was impossible to do so in Valdebebas. In general, I think they are good children, they respect me and my work, they want to know, and they are willing to learn and understand the reasons to make me feel better.
“I have come to love them a lot, and to be honest, I feel sorry for them because they are victims in a prison full of gold and there is nothing they can do about it. Despite the health workers telling them every day not to follow my instructions, most of them tried to do that, which made me very sad, because they did not want to upset the doctors and they wanted to follow my instructions, so many of them told me that it was wrong if I was wrong. He wanted to take what the doctors told them; I would prefer not to give them anything, but they want to follow the instructions my… It was terrible.”
‘They had no nutritional support’ – Gonzalez de Arriba
Over time there, Gonzalez de Arriba described a good relationship with the players.
“Overall, they felt taken care of, and they loved it. They went from not having any nutritional support or supplements to having a personal program every day. When they saw me, they told me how they felt, and I tried to take care of them. I felt like a mother because they told me that they had a stomach ache, or that they didn’t sleep well, or that they always tried to help me with a fever … very, very kind actions and small things, the only good thing I take away from this bad experience.”
Leaving in August of this year after more than three years at the club, the current injury crisis this season represents the second season in a row where Los Blancos have been seriously affected by fitness issues. Against Alaves on Sunday, Xabi Alonso was without eight players, while a number of others were playing with muscle problems.
