Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe criticised coach Alvaro Arbeloa after being left out of the starting lineup against Oviedo. The French forward claimed Arbeloa told him he was the team’s fourth-choice striker.
Mbappe, who had been recovering from a left hamstring injury, said he was fit and ready to start the match but was overlooked by the coach.
“I’m 100 per cent fine. I didn’t play because the coach told me I’m the fourth striker in the squad behind Franco Mastantuono, Vini and Gonzalo. I accept it. I was ready to start; it was his decision. You can’t be angry with the coach; you always have to respect the opinion of the coach. I’ll keep working hard and wait to be the starter,” Mbappe said.
Arbeloa later denied making such remarks and expressed surprise over Mbappe’s comments.
“I don’t have four strikers, and I haven’t told anything like that to Mbappe,” Arbeloa said. “He probably didn’t understand me. I don’t really know what to tell you. I wouldn’t tell him that he’s the fourth-choice striker.”
Turbulent week continues for Real Madrid
The disagreement between Mbappe and Arbeloa adds to what has already been a chaotic week for Real Madrid.
Earlier this week, Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni were reportedly fined 500,000 euros each following an altercation during a training session.
Mbappe was also booed by sections of the crowd at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium after coming on as a substitute for Gonzalo Garcia in the 68th minute.
However, the French star responded positively on the field and provided the assist for Jude Bellingham’s 79th-minute goal that sealed Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory.
Mbappe has also faced criticism from some fans and sections of the Spanish media, with allegations that he was prioritising personal time over rehabilitation.
During his injury layoff, the striker reportedly travelled to Italy with actress Ester Exposito, leading to speculation that he was not fully focused on recovery.
“I had the club’s permission to be away from Madrid. I wasn’t the only one, but you have to accept it and move on. I can easily turn this situation around,” Mbappe said.
(With AP inputs)
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