Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Oviedo at the Santiago Bernabéu was overshadowed by a public disagreement between Kylian Mbappé and coach Álvaro Arbeloa. Mbappé entered the match as a substitute and was loudly booed by parts of the crowd, while the post-match focus quickly shifted from the result to his comments in the mixed zone and Arbeloa’s response at the press conference. Real won the match with goals from Gonzalo García and Jude Bellingham, but the atmosphere around the club remained tense.
Mbappé said he was fully fit and ready to start, but claimed that the coach had placed him fourth in the attacking order behind Mastantuono, Vinícius and Gonzalo. He stressed that he was not angry and that a coach’s decision must be respected, but his words were seen as a direct reflection of the growing tension inside Real Madrid. The French forward also said he had no problem with Arbeloa, adding that the coach’s philosophy must be accepted and that he himself must be better in order to play ahead of the others.
The striker also addressed the criticism surrounding his absence from El Clásico and his trip to Italy. He said he regretted not playing against Barcelona, but added that he could not change the public’s opinion and did not take the whistles personally. On the trip to Italy, Mbappé said he had permission from the club and that he was not the only one away from Madrid, while insisting that he must accept the situation and move forward.
Arbeloa rejected Mbappé’s claim that he had called him the fourth-choice striker. He said the player had apparently misunderstood him and insisted that, as long as he sits on the Real Madrid bench, he is the one who decides who plays. Arbeloa also said he had no issue with any player and explained that the decision not to start Mbappé was based on the circumstances, including the fact that there was another match in three days.
The dispute comes at the end of a difficult season for Real Madrid, described in the reports as another campaign without a trophy. Mbappé said the team had structure and a clear idea in the first half of the season, but that everything collapsed later. He also referred to his knee problem, saying it cost him important time in the decisive part of the season.
Despite the tension, Mbappé made it clear that he does not intend to leave Real Madrid. He said he is very happy in Madrid and questioned why he would want to leave. He also praised Florentino Pérez, calling him the best president in the world and in the club’s history.
