News Focus
- Florentino Perez plans an emergency meeting with Kylian Mbappe to address the player’s recent conduct and public criticism of manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
- Mbappe arrived at the stadium only 12 minutes before a recent match against Espanyol, then missed the El Clasico squad entirely despite expectations he would be on the bench.
- The French forward claimed Arbeloa told him he ranks fourth among attackers, and stated the team has lost order since the turn of the year.
- Supporters whistled Mbappe when he came on as a substitute during the 2-0 victory over Real Oviedo on Thursday evening.
- Perez has warned that “nobody is irreplaceable” despite describing Mbappe as the club’s best player.
Tensions at Real Madrid have reached boiling point after Kylian Mbappe launched another public attack on the club. The French striker criticised manager Alvaro Arbeloa following Thursday’s match, worsening the ongoing crisis at the Bernabeu.
The forward openly challenged Arbeloa’s decisions. These comments, which the coach has rejected, quickly made headlines across the globe.
Supporters have turned against the player recently. Questions about his dedication grew after he reached the stadium just twelve minutes before kick-off against Espanyol. He then missed the squad completely for the El Clasico fixture, despite expectations that he would start among the substitutes.
On Thursday evening, Mbappe revealed that Arbeloa had ranked him as the fourth-choice attacker. He also stated that the team had lost its way during the second half of the campaign. During the second period of their 2-0 victory against Real Oviedo, the crowd whistled loudly when Mbappe entered the pitch as a substitute.
According to Diario AS, club president Florentino Perez plans to meet the France captain to address his conduct. The meeting was originally arranged as friendly advice regarding small mistakes before the World Cup. However, it has now become an urgent priority.
Perez and the board are now concerned about his public displays, overall behaviour, and growing isolation from other players. The president will question Mbappe about his plans for the next campaign and demand stricter discipline from the national team skipper.
Although Perez called Mbappe the team’s finest player on Wednesday, he warned that every player can be replaced. Sources suggest Mbappe used the media to answer back to Arbeloa. Their working relationship has broken down following three recent clashes.
Furthermore, the striker has repeatedly suggested he preferred working with former coach Xabi Alonso. He has also indicated that he opposed the board’s decision to dismiss the Spaniard.