Mbappe insisted he was physically ready to start despite recent injury concerns and suggested his absence from the line-up was purely a tactical decision.
"I'm 100% fine. I haven't played because the manager told me I'm the fourth-choice striker in the squad behind Mastantuono, Vini, and Gonzalo," Mbappe told reporters, as perMarca. "I was ready to start; it's his decision, and you always have to respect it. I'm not angry."
Arbeloa quickly dismissed the interpretation when asked about the forward’s comments.
"I wish I had four strikers," Arbeloa explained. "I don't have four strikers, and I certainly didn't say anything like that to Mbappe. He probably didn't understand me. I don't really know what to tell you. I could never have told him he's the fourth striker.
"It's clear that if I don't play him, he can't play. I'm the coach, and I'm the one who decides who plays and who doesn't. I had a conversation with him before the match. I don't know how he might have interpreted it. A player who wasn't on the bench four days ago shouldn't have started today. It's not a final, it's not a do-or-die situation."