Former Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa has said his family and friends suffered when he publicly sided with Jose Mourinho in a dressing room split.

But the 34-year-old Arbeloa, who has now retired from playing, told the "Chiringuito de Jugones" TV show that he had no regrets about backing the former manager and would do so again.

The split saw then club captain Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo on the other side, but Arbeloa said: "I have defended Madrid without thinking about the consequences on a personal level.

"You learn to live with it, but your family and friends experience it worse and that has an influence.

"Many people have been unfair. It was for taking a position, or taking on the press at certain moments. I did what I had to do.

"It is easier to not take on the critics, to hide -- that way you do not annoy anyone and nobody puts you on their list.

"But defending Mourinho was not expensive for me. I would do it again. I am not sorry about that."

¡IMPRESCINDIBLE! "Defender a Mourinho me ha SALIDO BARATO. Lo volvería a hacer", @aarbeloa17 HABLÓ CLARO en #ElChiringuitoDeMega pic.twitter.com/Dy5rlvXwSQ - El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) July 6, 2017

Although Madrid lost in the Champions League semifinals in each of Mourinho's three seasons, Arbeloa said his work had laid the foundations for three Champions League trophies in the four seasons since.

"He brought us back to the right sporting level," he said. "The same group has continued -- he brought in [Luka] Modric and other great players. He made a lot of improvements."

Meanwhile, the ex-defender added that he was sure Ronaldo would not leave the club this summer.

Last month, a source told ESPN FC that Ronaldo wanted to quit after being accused of a €14.7 million tax fraud.

Reports in Spain claimed Ronaldo was upset at the treatment he had received from the authorities and believed he was being made an example of because of his status as a star player.

But 34-year-old Arbeloa, who has now retired from playing, said: "He is very intelligent, and when the right moment comes to speak then he will do it.

"We have to give him our vote of confidence -- he is our player and we trust fully in him.

"He does not hide, either on or off the pitch. He will say that he will stay at Madrid, I have no doubt about that."