Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe said on Thursday that coach Alvaro Arbeloa told him he was the “fourth striker” in the squad before benching him against Real Oviedo.
The France captain returned from a thigh problem in a 2-0 win over Oviedo, but his appearance as a substitute in the 69th minute was greeted by whistles from Madrid’s own disgruntled supporters at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Madrid fans have criticized their top scorer in recent weeks for a perceived lack of effort, with Mbappe unfit to play in last weekend’s Clasico, where Barcelona defeated Madrid to clinch the Spanish title.
Arbeloa started with Vinicius Junior, Franco Mastantuono and Gonzalo Garcia in attack against Oviedo, with Mbappé not playing for almost three weeks.
READ | Real Madrid vs Real Oviedo player ratings – Mbappe booed as Los Blancos won 2-0
«I am very good, at 100 percent. I have not played because the coach told me that I am the fourth striker in the team for him, behind Mastantuono, Vinicius and Gonzalo,» Mbappe told reporters after the match.
The forward earned an assist with a pass to Jude Bellingham, also a substitute, for Madrid’s second goal.
“In the end I accept it (being on the bench) and play the time I was supposed to play,” the striker continued.
Fans were unhappy with Mbappe traveling to Sardinia on holiday while recovering from his injury.
“Because I was not in Madrid, I had permission from the club,” Mbappe said.
“I don’t understand what people are saying, but I have to accept it.”
Mbappe said it would be “easy” to change his situation and said he had to “look forward and turn the page” on the whistles.
Madrid coach Arbeloa said in his post-match press conference that he had not told Mbappe that he had dropped down the pecking order.
“Maybe he misunderstood me, I don’t know what to tell you,” Arbeloa told reporters.
“For me it is very clear that a player who could not even get on the bench for a match four days ago should not start today, especially because this is not a final, not a match of life or death.
«Also because we have a match on Sunday in which he will certainly be the first-choice striker, as I told him.»
Arbeloa said he could understand why Mbappe, who has scored 41 goals in 42 appearances this season, was unhappy.
«I can perfectly understand that Kylian Mbappé is not happy today that he has not played, but it is a decision that, as I said, is based on the circumstances and, as I said before, I did not want to take any risks on my part,» the coach added.
Madrid’s season has been extremely turbulent, with coach Xabi Alonso being replaced by Arbeloa in January.
With Barca clinching the La Liga title, Los Blancos will end up without a major trophy for the second year in a row, and president Florentino Perez has called for elections.
Published on May 15, 2026
