Alvaro Arbeloa plays down Kylian Mbappé Instagram like amid Mourinho rumours | OneFootball

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa defended Kylian Mbappé after scrutiny of the forward’s Instagram like on a post linking José Mourinho with the Real Madrid job this summer.

He spoke on Thursday at his press conference on the eve of Real’s La Liga match against Betis Sevilla, with Madrid second on 73 points and Betis fifth on 49. According to L'Équipe, Arbeloa responded with irony, saying he did not care whether Mbappé liked Mourinho or Julia Roberts.

The flare-up comes days after debate over Mbappé’s defensive contribution against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Although contracted to Real Madrid until 2027, Arbeloa’s future beyond the end of this season remains uncertain.

With Madrid nine points adrift of Barcelona in La Liga and edging towards another trophyless campaign, José Mourinho, now Benfica coach and previously in charge at Real from 2010 to 2013, has been linked in Spain as a potential candidate to replace Arbeloa if he departs.

Source: L'Équipe