Spanish outlets claim the 27-year-old's injury, picked up in the 1-1 draw with Betis Seville, is a pretext to put distance between himself and Real Madrid.
Sources claimed the forward had "had enough" of the club and wanted space from both the club and his team-mates. Reports pointed to several run-ins with Jude Bellingham, as well as Mbappé's perceived coolness towards Arbeloa, stemming from his dissatisfaction that the squad favoured Vinicius Junior over him. The pair's relationship has long been described as fraught.
Vinicius reportedly feels far more valued under Arbeloa, yet the coach's departure appears certain after a trophy-less campaign, with successors already being sought—a move that would please Mbappé.