‘We can’t play like this’ – Real Madrid superstar confronts Arbeloa after Rayo Vallecano victory | OneFootball

According to an update shared by Defensa Central, Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa and Kylian Mbappe held a private conversation in the dressing room following the club’s recent 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano. 

While the result brought three points, it did little to mask the concerns surrounding Real Madrid’s overall performance.

Real Madrid’s form in 2026 has raised serious questions, and Mbappe has been one of the most vocal figures inside the dressing room, calling for a clear step up. 

The French forward has not hidden his frustration, believing that the team is currently operating well below the standards required at the club.

Those concerns were already evident after the defeat to Benfica in the UEFA Champions League. 

Following that loss, Mbappe spoke forcefully to the media, openly criticising the team’s lack of intensity. 

Mbappe is asking for more

Mbappe is not happy with Real Madrid’s overall performance. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Mbappe believes that sacrifice and desire are non-negotiable at a club like Real Madrid. In his view, those elements have been missing too often this season. 

He has also accepted his share of responsibility for the team’s struggles, but there is a feeling from the player that his own performances have been closer to the required level than those of many around him.

That same frustration resurfaced after the win against Rayo Vallecano. Despite securing the points, Mbappe felt the display once again fell short. 

According to reports, the Frenchman made his feelings known directly to Arbeloa in a private exchange inside the locker room. While the conversation was calm, the message itself was firm and direct.

“We can’t play like this, this isn’t enough,” the Frenchman reportedly told his manager. 

Even Florentino Perez is understood to be conscious of the situation, while Arbeloa himself knows that performances must improve quickly if Real Madrid are to remain competitive on all fronts.