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Benched Mbappe says he's fourth-choice forward at Real Madrid under ...
Striker jeered by own fans as he came off bench in return from injury in 2-0 La Liga win over Real Oviedo.Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe says coach Alvaro Arbeloa told him he was the “fourth forward” in the squad before benching him against Real Oviedo.The France captain returned from a thigh problem in a 2-0 win over Oviedo on Thursday, but his appearance as a 69th-minute substitute was greeted by whistles from Madrid’s own disgruntled supporters at the Santiago Bernabeu.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Mitoma fails to make Japan’s 2026 World Cup squad due to hamstring injurylist 2 of 4FIFA warned ‘gruelling heat’ could impact a quarter of World Cup gameslist 3 of 4FIFA World Cup 2026: What to expect from the new 48-team formatlist 4 of 4Israeli minister blasts Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal for Palestinian flag waveend of listMadrid fans have criticised their top goalscorer in recent weeks for a perceived lack of commitment, with Mbappe not fit to play in the Clasico last weekend, where Barcelona beat Madrid to clinch the Spanish title.Arbeloa started with Vinicius Junior, Franco Mastantuono and Gonzalo Garcia in attack against Oviedo, with Mbappe not having played for almost three weeks.“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,” Mbappe told reporters after the game.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 I play the time I had to play,” continued the striker.Fans were unhappy about Mbappe travelling to Sardinia on holiday while recovering from his injury.The striker downplayed the importance of his trip.“I had the club’s permission to be away from Madrid,” Mbappe said. “I wasn’t the only one, but you have to accept it and move on. I can easily turn this situation around.”Madrid coach Arbeloa said in his post-match news conference that he had not told Mbappe he had dropped down the pecking order.“Maybe he didn’t understand me well. I don’t know what to tell you,” Arbeloa told reporters.“For me it’s very clear that 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, it’s not a life-or-death game…“Also because we’ve got a game on Sunday where he’s definitely going to be the first-choice forward, as I told him.”Arbeloa said he could un...
Mbappe says he is fourth-choice forward under Arbeloa at Real Madrid ...
May 15 - France captain Kylian Mbappe said he is now the fourth-choice forward at Real Madrid after manager Alvaro Arbeloa left him out of the starting line-up for their 2-0 win over Real Oviedo on Thursday.The Frenchman, who missed Sunday's 2-0 defeat by Barcelona and was booed by his own fans on his return from a hamstring injury, came off the bench in the 68th minute after Arbeloa opted to play Vinicius Junior and Gonzalo Garcia in attack.Mbappe told reporters fitness was not an issue."I’m 100% fine. I haven’t played because for the coach I’ve been the fourth striker in the squad behind (Franco) Mastantuono, Vini and Gonzalo," he said."I was ready to start, it’s his decision and it always has to be respected."I have no problem at all with Arbeloa. You have to accept the coach's philosophy and I have to do better to play ahead of Vini, Gonzalo and Mastantuono."Mbappe has faced criticism from fans for travelling to Sardinia while recovering from his injury, though he said the club had authorized the trip.Arbeloa said there was no way he could start Mbappe after he missed the Barcelona match and dismissed the suggestion he had told the Frenchman he was fourth choice."I had a conversation with him before the game and I don't know what he could have interpreted," the Spaniard told reporters."For me it is very clear that a player who four days ago could not be on the bench (against Barcelona), today should not start. Especially because it's not a final, it's not a game of life or death."Arbeloa added that Mbappe would start Real's next match at Sevilla on Sunday. REUTERS
Kylian Mbappe claims Real Madrid coach told him he was '4th choice ...
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe claimed his coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, told him that he was the fourth choice attacking option at the club behind Vinicius Jr, Gonzalo Garcia, and Franco Mastantuono ...
Kylian Mbappe he is Real Madrid's 'fourth choice striker' denied
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.
