Kylian Mbappe endured one of the most humiliating evenings of his Real Madrid career on 14 May, being whistled by his own supporters on his return from injury and then claiming after the match that coach Alvaro Arbeloa had told him he was the club’s fourth-choice forward, a statement Arbeloa promptly and flatly denied.
Mbappe came on as a 69th-minute substitute in Madrid’s 2-0 LaLiga win over Real Oviedo at the Santiago Bernabeu, replacing goalscorer Gonzalo Garcia to a loud chorus of jeers from the home crowd. It was Madrid’s first home game since Barcelona clinched the LaLiga title at the Clasico the previous Sunday, a match Mbappe missed through a hamstring injury after being pictured on a brief holiday during his recovery.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Mbappe revealed the conversation he said he had with Arbeloa before kick-off. “I didn’t play because the coach told me I’m the fourth-choice forward in the squad behind 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.”
Arbeloa, speaking at his post-match press conference moments later, rejected the characterisation entirely. “I wish I had four forwards. I don’t have four forwards, and I certainly didn’t say anything like that to Mbappe. Perhaps he didn’t understand me. At no point could I tell him he is the fourth-choice forward. I’m the coach and I’m the one who decides who plays and who doesn’t. I don’t have any problem with anyone.”
The coach also defended his decision not to start Mbappe, saying it was simply a matter of common sense. “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 was the most logical and natural thing to do.”
Mbappe acknowledged the hostile reception but refused to be drawn into bitterness. “You can’t change people’s minds when they’re angry. I shouldn’t take it personally. It’s the life of a Real Madrid player and a famous player like me.” He also insisted his holiday had been authorised by the club.
On the season as a whole, a campaign that has produced no trophies for the second year running and saw Xabi Alonso replaced mid-season by Arbeloa, Mbappe was candid. “We started the season well. Then we lost everything in the second half. It hurts a lot. I feel like we had a playing style, a structure, and we lost it.”
The game was settled comfortably enough. Gonzalo Garcia opened the scoring in the 44th minute after Oviedo, already relegated to the second tier, gave the ball away on their right flank. Jude Bellingham, introduced as a substitute, added a second in the 80th minute. Mbappe fired off several efforts during his cameo but could not find the net.
Madrid finish the season second in LaLiga on 80 points, 11 behind Barcelona and 11 ahead of Villarreal, with two games remaining, at Sevilla and then at home against Athletic Club.
