Kylian Mbappé found himself on the sidelines for Real Madrid's recent 2-0 victory over Real Oviedo. The striker was notably absent from the starting lineup, only appearing in the 69th minute. This decision by coach Alvaro Arbeloa followed an incident where Mbappé claimed he was informed he was the "4th-choice" forward.
"I don't know what else to tell you. Until I hear what he said, I'm not going to comment on every single sentence," Mbappé stated after the match, expressing confusion over his perceived status. He added, "I don't know how he might have interpreted it."
Arbeloa, however, appeared to contradict this assertion, stating he wished he "had four strikers" and that Mbappé would be the "starting striker" for the upcoming Sunday match. The coach indicated that the decision was "based on the circumstances" and suggested Mbappé might not have understood him well.
Bernabéu Jeers Highlight Tensions
The Bernabéu faithful directed boos at Mbappé during the match, a stark contrast to the applause received by teammates like Endrick, Arda Guler, and Brahim Diaz when they warmed up or entered the game. This public display of displeasure has reportedly led to reports that Mbappé would prefer to miss the remaining home fixtures to avoid the jeers.
Read More: FA Youth Cup Final: Empty Home Seats Mar Manchester Derby
The player's statistical output for Real Madrid remains high, with 41 goals and six assists in 41 games this season, marking 100 total appearances. Yet, the prevailing sentiment within the club appears to value "trophies and perceived commitment to the badge" above mere performance metrics, leaving Mbappé seemingly short on both counts according to some interpretations.
Underlying Friction and Past Incidents
This latest episode adds to a season marked by evident friction. Reports from earlier in April indicated a training-ground altercation between Mbappé and a coaching staff member prior to a match against Real Betis. Mbappé was substituted in that game due to a hamstring issue, and there has been a lack of direct communication from the player or club medical staff regarding his condition, a departure from Real Madrid's usual practice. His representatives have declined to comment on these ongoing situations.
Read More: Real Madrid squad for El Clásico vs Barcelona on Oct 5, 2026
