Álvaro Árbeloa has claimed that a number of Real Madrid players have been selfish, putting their personal interests ahead of the club during José Mourinho's last year in charge.

"A lot of us have been worried about not getting criticised in the press and trying to show ourselves in a good light, only speaking up when it was in our own interests. This is a very healthy, tight-knit dressing room, but maybe we lack the maturity to handle difficult situations", he stated.

"This is very tough club to be at when things aren't going your way. We have to learn from this ahead of next year. We all have to pull together under the new coach and not be affected by outside influences".

Arbeloa believes that Mourinho did everything in his power to make Real succeed and that he was let down by some players. "He fought tooth and nail for this club and has had to withstand a lot. He has always put Real Madrid before himself. This has often been at the cost of tarnishing his image and I don't know if everyone at the club, including some players, can say the same. Myself included. I always look out for myself first and want things to go well for me and then for the club. There are a lot of others like me".

The full-back feels the squad could have done "a lot more" over the last year and that "we all have to take responsibility". "It's a shame we haven't won more trophies. Mourinho has won things wherever he's been and it's odd that perhaps the best squad he's had has been the one to win the least".