Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé revealed on Thursday that coach Álvaro Arbeloa informed him he was the “fourth forward” in the squad before leaving him on the bench for the clash against Real Oviedo.
The France captain returned to action in a 2-0 victory over Oviedo after recovering from a thigh injury; however, upon entering as a substitute in the 69th minute, he was greeted with whistles by a section of Madrid’s disgruntled supporters at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Madrid fans have criticized their top goalscorer in recent weeks for a perceived lack of commitment, and Mbappé was unfit to play in last weekend’s Clásico, where Barcelona defeated Madrid to clinch the Spanish title.
Arbeloa opted to start Vinícius Júnior, Franco Mastantuono, and Gonzalo García in the attack against Oviedo, given that Mbappé had not played for nearly three weeks.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Mbappé said, “I feel great—100 percent fit. I didn’t play because the coach told me that, in his view, I am the fourth forward in the squad—behind Mastantuono, Vinícius, and Gonzalo.”
The forward provided the assist for Madrid’s second goal, playing a pass to Jude Bellingham, who had also entered the match as a substitute.
The striker added, “Ultimately, I accept it [being benched], and I played for the amount of time I was allotted.”
Fans had expressed displeasure over the fact that Mbappé had traveled to Sardinia for a vacation while recovering from his injury.
Regarding his absence from Madrid, Mbappé stated, “I had the club’s permission.” “I don’t understand what people are saying, but I have to accept it.”
Mbappé stated that changing his situation would be “easy,” adding that he would have to “look ahead and turn the page” once the final whistle blew.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Madrid coach Arbeloa said that he had not told Mbappé that he had dropped down the pecking order.
“Perhaps he didn’t understand me correctly; I don’t know what else to tell you,” Arbeloa told reporters. “To me, it is very clear that a player who couldn’t even make the bench for a match just four days ago should not be starting today—especially since this isn’t a final, nor is it a do-or-die match…
“And also because we have a game on Sunday where he will undoubtedly be the first-choice forward, just as I had told him.”
Arbeloa noted that he could understand why Mbappé—who has scored 41 goals in 42 matches this season—was not happy.
The coach added, “I can fully understand why Kylian Mbappé isn’t pleased about not playing today; however, this decision—as I mentioned—is based on the circumstances, and, as I stated earlier, I did not want to take any kind of risk on my part.”
Madrid’s season has been fraught with difficulties; Arbeloa took over as coach in January, replacing Xabi Alonso.
With Barça having already clinched the La Liga title, Los Blancos will finish the season without a major trophy for the second consecutive year—a situation that has prompted President Florentino Pérez to call for elections.
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