Benched Mbappe says he’s fourth-choice forward at Real Madrid under Arbeloa | Football News
Kylian Mbappe Faces Mixed Reactions from Fans in Return to Action
Published May 15, 2026
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe returned to the pitch on Thursday after a recovery period from a thigh injury, but not without facing criticism from the club’s supporters. He made his appearance as a 69th-minute substitute in Madrid’s 2-0 La Liga victory over Real Oviedo, with some fans expressing their displeasure through boos at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Following the match, the France captain revealed that coach Alvaro Arbeloa informed him that he was considered the “fourth forward” on the squad. This statement came after Mbappe had been sidelined for nearly three weeks, which included his absence during last weekend’s Clasico, where Barcelona defeated Madrid to secure the Spanish title.
Arbeloa opted for Vinicius Junior, Franco Mastantuono, and Gonzalo Garcia as starters against Oviedo. After the contest, Mbappe addressed the media, stating, “I am very good, at 100 percent. I didn’t play because the coach told me that for him I’m the fourth forward of the squad, behind Mastantuono, Vinicius, and Gonzalo.”
Despite the backlash, Mbappe contributed to the match by providing an assist to Jude Bellingham, another substitute, who scored Madrid’s second goal. He expressed acceptance of his limited playing time, noting, “In the end, I accept it and I play the time I had to play.”
Criticism from fans had also been directed at Mbappe for a recent holiday in Sardinia during his recovery. He emphasized that he had the club’s permission for the trip, stating, “I wasn’t the only one, but you have to accept it and move on. I can easily turn this situation around.”
In his post-match remarks, Arbeloa clarified that he had not definitively placed Mbappe lower in the team hierarchy. “Maybe he didn’t understand me well. I don’t know what to tell you,” he said. The coach defended his decision by explaining, “A player who four days ago couldn’t even make the bench for a match shouldn’t start today… especially because this isn’t a final.”
Arbeloa acknowledged that he understood why Mbappe might be unhappy with his current situation but emphasized decisions were made with caution given the player’s recent fitness issues.
Real Madrid’s season has been fraught with challenges, leading to the replacement of coach Xabi Alonso by Arbeloa in January. With Barcelona having clinched the La Liga title, Madrid will conclude another season without a major trophy. Following this disappointing run, President Florentino Perez has announced plans for an upcoming election to address the club’s trajectory.
