Kylian Mbappe was left on the bench as Real Madrid beat Real Oviedo on Thursday, before the striker claimed Alvaro Arbeloa told him he is fourth-choice — a claim the interim coach has denied
11:50, 15 May 2026
Kylian Mbappe is having a tough time at Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe is having a tough time at Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
Kylian Mbappe has made the stunning claim that former Liverpool star Alvaro Arbeloa informed him he is now FOURTH-choice, after the forward was booed by Real Madrid supporters at the Bernabeu on Thursday.
The Frenchman was named on the bench for the clash against Real Oviedo, which Los Blancos won 2-0. Mbappe was brought on in the 69th minute to replace Gonzalo Garcia, who had found the net in Real's first home fixture since Barcelona clinched the La Liga title with a victory in El Clasico.
Mbappe, who was absent for Sunday's defeat to Barca, was met with loud jeers from the home faithful when he eventually stepped onto the pitch.
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Having insisted he was fully fit following his absence the previous weekend, the 27-year-old then delivered the bombshell revelation that Madrid's interim head coach considers him well down the squad hierarchy.
"I'm well, I'm 100 percent," Mbappe told astonished journalists. "I didn't play because the coach told me I'm the fourth-choice forward in the squad behind [Franco] Mastantuono, Vinicius [Junior] and Gonzalo. I accept it and play the time I'm given. I think I played well.
"I was ready to start. I'm not angry with the manager. You always have to respect a coach's decision. I'll work hard to get back into the starting lineup."
Alvaro Arbeloa is a former Liverpool player
Alvaro Arbeloa is a former Liverpool player(Image: Getty Images)
Mbappe's revelation represents yet another challenge for Arbeloa, who assumed control after Xabi Alonso's exit in January.
Madrid has struggled through a difficult campaign, with Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni recently making the news following a physical altercation between the pair.
However, Arbeloa refuted Mbappe's assertion, maintaining that "at no point" had he informed the Frenchman he was fourth in the pecking order.
"I wish I had four forwards," Arbeloa responded to Mbappe's remarks.
"I don't have four forwards, and I certainly didn't say anything like that to Mbappe. Perhaps he didn't understand me.
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"I don't know what else to tell you. At no point could I tell him that he's the fourth-choice forward.
"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 start today. It's not a final, it's not a do-or-die situation. That's all. I don't have any problem with anyone."