Mbappe says Arbeloa sees him as fourth forward option

Kylian Mbappe said on Thursday that Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa told him he was the “fourth forward” in the squad before leaving him on the bench against Real Oviedo.

The France captain returned from a thigh injury in Madrid’s 2-0 win but came on only in the 69th minute. His appearance was met with whistles from sections of supporters at the Santiago Bernabeu, reflecting growing frustration among fans over his recent performances and attitude.

Mbappe has been criticised in recent weeks for a perceived lack of commitment. He also missed the Clasico last weekend, when Barcelona defeated Real Madrid to secure the Spanish league title. Arbeloa had started the match against Oviedo with Vinicius Junior, Franco Mastantuono and Gonzalo Garcia in attack, while Mbappe had not played for almost three weeks.

Speaking after the match, Mbappe insisted he was fully fit. “I am very good, at 100 percent, I didn’t play because the coach told me that for him I’m the fourth forward of the squad, behind Mastantuono, Vinicius and Gonzalo,” he said. He added: “In the end, I accept it (being on the bench) and I play the time I had to play.”

The forward still made an impact from the bench, providing an assist for Jude Bellingham’s goal, Madrid’s second of the evening.

Fan frustration had also been fuelled by reports that Mbappe travelled to Sardinia on holiday while recovering from injury. He rejected suggestions of wrongdoing. “Not being in Madrid—I had the authorisation of the club,” he said. “I don’t understand what the people are saying, but I have to accept it.”

Mbappe said it would be “easy” to change his situation and stressed he would “look forwards and turn the page” on the reaction from supporters.

Arbeloa, however, denied suggesting the striker had fallen down the pecking order. “Maybe he didn’t understand me well, I don’t know what to tell you,” the coach said. “For me it’s very clear that a player who four days ago couldn’t even make the bench for a match shouldn't start today, especially because this isn’t a final; it’s not a life-or-death game.”

He added that Mbappe was likely to start the next match. “Also because we’ve got a game on Sunday where he’s definitely going to be the first-choice forward, as I told him.”

Arbeloa said he understood the forward’s frustration, noting his form this season. Mbappe has scored 41 goals in 42 appearances. “I can perfectly understand that Kylian Mbappe isn’t happy today about not playing, but it’s a decision based, as I said, on the circumstances and, as I said before, I didn’t want to take any kind of risk from my side,” he said.

Real Madrid’s season has been turbulent. Xabi Alonso was replaced by Arbeloa in January. With Barcelona having already secured the La Liga title, Madrid are set to finish a second consecutive season without a major trophy. Club president Florentino Pérez has since called for an election.