Former Barcelona defender reignites long-running rivalry with Álvaro Arbeloa after Real Madrid’s shock Copa del Rey defeat under their new head coach.
Gerard Piqué has reignited one of Spanish football’s most enduring personal rivalries after reacting sarcastically to Real Madrid’s shock Copa del Rey exit under new head coach Álvaro Arbeloa. The former Barcelona defender posted a short but pointed message following Madrid’s 3-2 defeat to Albacete, writing simply on his Twitch channel: “Good debut.”
The comment came after Arbeloa’s first match in charge of Real Madrid ended in elimination from the Copa del Rey, an outcome few had predicted despite Madrid’s recent turbulence. Florentino Pérez had turned to Arbeloa following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso, opting for a more combative, club-loyal figure in the dugout, but the decision immediately came under scrutiny after the loss.
Piqué’s reaction quickly went viral, not only because of Madrid’s unexpected defeat but because of the long-standing animosity between the two former Spain internationals.
Despite sharing dressing rooms with the national team and winning major honours together, Piqué and Arbeloa were never close, with their rivalry becoming symbolic of the broader Barcelona-Real Madrid divide during one of the most intense eras of El Clásico.
Their feud dates back more than a decade, most notably to Piqué’s infamous “cono-cido” remark. The Barcelona defender once mocked Arbeloa by suggesting he was better known as a “cone” than a footballer, a jibe that criticised Arbeloa’s quality and contribution on the pitch.
The comment became part of Spanish football folklore and cemented the personal edge between the two.
Pique just ROASTED Arbeloa by saying he’s not a friend, he’s a “CONO-cido” (Cone).
Word play on acquaintance. 🔥🔥🔥( pic.twitter.com/H6vAsAUDpN— Juan (@socraticjuan) December 12, 2015
A rivalry that never really ended
Although both players retired several years ago, the tension has never fully disappeared. Piqué has frequently used his media platforms, including social media and Twitch, to comment ironically on Real Madrid-related matters, while Arbeloa has long been associated with Madrid’s institutional and ideological stance, both as a player and now as a coach.
The timing of Piqué’s message added further fuel to the story. Arbeloa’s appointment was framed by some as a throwback to a more confrontational Real Madrid approach, reminiscent of the José Mourinho era, when tensions with Barcelona and Pep Guardiola reached boiling point. That context made the Copa del Rey elimination, and Piqué’s reaction to it, even more loaded.
For Real Madrid, the defeat raises early questions about Arbeloa’s suitability for the role and the direction the club is taking. For Piqué, the moment was another opportunity to needle an old adversary, reminding fans that some football rivalries do not fade with retirement.
One match into his managerial reign, Arbeloa has already found himself under pressure, and with Piqué watching closely from afar, the spotlight on Madrid’s new era is only getting brighter.