Kylian Mbappé takes aim at Alvaro Arbeloa as Real Madrid tensions deepen | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappé went public after Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Oviedo, taking aim at coach Alvaro Arbeloa and, implicitly, some team-mates. According to L'Équipe, he appeared in the mixed zone after starting on the bench and being booed.

He said he felt 100% and ready to start, yet claimed Arbeloa told him he was fourth-choice for the night behind Gonzalo Garcia, Vinicius and Franco Mastantuono. He added that he would accept the decision and work to surpass them.

Arbeloa replied that Mbappé had misunderstood and insisted he never said that, adding that four days earlier the forward was not even ready for the bench so he judged he could not start. He said selection is his decision regardless of names.

Mbappé's anger also traces to last Sunday's 0-2 Clasico. Reports in Madrid suggested he left training early after realising he would be a substitute, and he admitted deep disappointment at missing a fixture he loves and usually scores in.

His discontent runs back to Xabi Alonso's sacking on 12 January, months of an unresolved left knee issue under the club's medical staff, and another season without a major title. He praised the early-season structure, then said it vanished after the break.

Explaining his appearance, he said he preferred to speak directly because others keep quiet, a stance that exposes a split between pro-Alonso and pro-Arbeloa camps. With the season almost over, his timing also stood out, coming about three hours after Didier Deschamps named his World Cup squad.

Source: L'Équipe