Kylian Mbappe claims he has been told he is ‘fourth choice striker’ at Real Madrid after starting on the bench against Real Oviedo, but the Frenchman’s comments were swiftly denied by boss Alvaro Arbeloa.
Mbappe began on the bench after returning from injury, but was brought on in the 69th minute for Gonzalo Garcia, who had given Real Madrid a 1-0 lead in the first half.
The return of Mbappe was greeted by whistles from the Bernabeu crowd, with the forward having become a divisive figure among supporters in recent weeks.
An ‘Mbappe Out’ campaign has surpassed 70 million signatures online, with the Frenchman’s commitment having been questioned by fans.
After Real Madrid earned a 2-0 victory over Real Oviedo on Thursday night, with Bellingham scoring the second, Mbappe claimed that Arbeloa had told him he is now ‘fourth choice’ forward.
‘I’m 100 per cent fine,’ Mbappe told reporters post-match.
Kylian Mbappe has claimed he has been told he is now Real Madrid’s fourth choice striker
Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa denied Mbappe’s claim in his post-match press conference
‘I didn’t play because the coach told me I’m the fourth striker in the squad behind (Franco) Mastantuono, Vini (Vinícius Júnior) and Gonzalo (García).
‘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.’
Mbappe also brushed off jeers and whistles from Real Madrid fans, insisting it was the ‘life of a famous player’ and he would work to ‘change the situation’.
Under-fire boss Arbeloa was asked about Mbappe’s remarks post-match, with the Spaniard denying making such a statement to the forward.
He pointed to Mbappe having not been fit enough to make the bench against Barcelona, suggesting it was logical for him not to start.
‘I wish I had four forwards. I don’t have four forwards, and I certainly didn’t say anything like that to Mbappe,’ Arbeloa said.
‘Perhaps he didn’t understand me. 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.
Mbappe was whistled by Real Madrid fans as he was brought on as a second half substitute
‘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.
‘I can understand that Mbappe isn’t happy about not playing, but it’s a decision based on the circumstances. ‘It was the most logical and natural thing to do, the most common-sense thing.
‘If you want, you can show me Kylian’s mixed zone [comments] and we can discuss it. Until I hear what he said, I’m not going to comment on every single sentence.
‘As long as I’m in this position, I decide who plays and who doesn’t. I don’t care what their names are.’
Mbappe, who was confirmed in France’s World Cup squad on Thursday, defended his own conduct at Real Madrid earlier this month.
It followed claims Mbappe had spoken angrily and in insulting terms towards the assistant, who was acting as a referee during a training match.
Mbappe was also criticised for taking a holiday on a luxury yacht with his new girlfriend, while his team-mates prepared to face Barcelona in El Clasico.
The forward missed the clash through injury, where Real Madrid lost 2-0 as Barcelona sealed the LaLiga title at the Camp Nou.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez appeared to have rowed with fans at the Bernabeu
Mbappe and Arbeloa’s differing comments come amid a dramatic period at Real Madrid, reflected by the sight of president Florentino Perez appearing to row with fans at the Bernabeu on Thursday.
The 71-year-old announced presidential elections in a rare press conference this week, after hitting out at perceived threats in the media, the standard of refereeing and possible rivals who he told to come forward and challenge him.
Perez had denied claims Real Madrid have descended into chaos, after it emerged last week that midfielder Federico Valverde was taken to hospital after an altercation with Aurelien Tchouameni, the second row in two days between the pair.
Alvaro Carreras and Antonio Rudiger were also reportedly involved in a physical altercation, impacting the mood around the club even further in a season that will end without a trophy.
