News Focus
- Álvaro Arbeloa responds to Kylian Mbappé’s public complaints after the Real Oviedo victory
- French forward expressed frustration over limited minutes at the Santiago Bernabéu
- Manager states he ‘likes’ that Mbappé was angry about being benched
- Arbeloa insists their professional relationship remains unchanged despite the tension
- Real Madrid prepare for Sunday’s La Liga clash against Sevilla
Reports of division within the Real Madrid camp have grown over recent weeks. Manager Álvaro Arbeloa now stands at the centre of this unrest. Several first-team players are reportedly no longer on speaking terms. On Thursday, a fresh dispute erupted between the coach and star striker Kylian Mbappé.
The controversy became public following Real Madrid’s win against Real Oviedo at the Santiago Bernabéu. Mbappé spoke to journalists in the mixed zone about his grievances with Arbeloa. The manager offered an immediate response after the final whistle. He addressed the subject again during his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of Sunday’s trip to Sevilla, according to Diario AS.
“I have just seen him. I told Kylian to remain calm and that I was handling everything,” Arbeloa explained. “I understand why the media sees this as major news. However, I had already discussed everything with him before he spoke publicly. I treat this situation with complete normality.”
The former Liverpool defender drew upon his own playing career to justify his understanding of Mbappé’s position. “I have experienced these moments myself. I know exactly how players feel in every circumstance. I know what it is like to start every match. I know what it is like to play less frequently. I also know what it is like to sit on the bench. I fully understand the frustration when a player does not feature.”
Arbeloa revealed that he actually welcomes Mbappé’s display of emotion. “I know Kylian was unhappy the other day, and I like this attitude. I would find it strange if Kylian Mbappé did not want to play for his team, even in a difficult situation. For me, this is far more normal than people are suggesting. Given the circumstances, I felt it was best for him to play during the second half for a short period. This would help prepare him for Sunday’s match. Perhaps if we did not have tomorrow’s game, the situation would have been different. But that is all there is to it. I give great normality to these events. My relationship with Mbappé remains exactly the same.”
The manager admitted that he prefers private conversations to stay confidential, though he does not punish players for speaking out. “Whenever I speak with my players, I am not afraid that they might share our discussions publicly. I prefer private matters to remain private. However, I do not mind if they choose to make our conversations public. I spoke with him before the match against Oviedo. I explained my decisions to him then, just as I have explained them to you now. There is no significant problem between us.”
Meanwhile, separate reports suggest that club president Florentino Pérez plans to meet with Mbappé to discuss his recent behaviour, with the warning that no player is irreplaceable at the Spanish giants.