Alvaro Arbeloa insisted Real Madrid will not give up in LaLiga's title race "until there are mathematically no opportunities".
Los Blancos closed the gap on league leaders Barcelona to six points with a 2-1 win over Alaves on Tuesday, though the Blaugrana have a game in hand.
Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior scored for Madrid in the victory, before Toni Martinez netted a late consolation goal for Alaves.
The Frenchman has scored eight goals from outside the box this season in all competitions (43 games), his best tally in a single campaign and the most in the current season among players in the top five European leagues.
Madrid, meanwhile, have won all 15 of their home matches played on a Tuesday in LaLiga, a record for a team's home games on a single day of the week with a 100% win rate in the competition's history.
Although Barca are favourites to win the league, with the Opta supercomputer giving Hansi Flick's side a 96.3% chance of retaining their title, Arbeloa refused to give up in the race.
"It doesn't matter what's at stake for me, what matters is what's at stake for Real Madrid," said Arbeloa, whose future at the club is uncertain.
"Until there are mathematically no opportunities, there is a league. Until then we will continue fighting for it."
15 - @realmadriden have won all 15 of their home matches played on a Tuesday in @LaLiga, a record for a team's home games on a single day of the week with a 100% win rate in the competition's history. Curious. pic.twitter.com/5eldhiXuVm
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 21, 2026
Next up for Madrid in the league is a trip to Real Betis on Friday, though Barca could regain their nine-point lead when they face Celta Vigo on Wednesday.
Madrid's next match against Betis is the start of a three-game away run in LaLiga, which ends with a potential title-defining clash against Barca on May 10.
"We have three consecutive away games, all of them difficult, like all away games, but these three will be even more," added Arbeloa.
"We have to make a big effort if we want to achieve anything in Seville.
"Alaves had a lot at stake; we were coming off a big disappointment, and it was the first match. It wasn't going to be easy.
"Now we're looking ahead to the match in Seville against a great rival in a great stadium."