Arbeloa: Mbappé Clearly Misunderstood Me

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa has addressed Kylian Mbappé's recent comments, where the player claimed the manager ranked him as the fourth-choice striker in the squad.

“I would love to have four strikers. However, I don't have that many, and I never said anything of the sort to Mbappé. Perhaps he misunderstood me. I don't even know what to say. There's no way I would tell him he's the fourth-choice striker,” Arbeloa clarified.

“It's clear he can't play if I don't include him in the squad. I am the head coach, and I decide who plays and who doesn't. I had a conversation with him before the match. I don't know how he could have interpreted it that way. A player who wasn't even in the squad four days ago shouldn't have started today. This isn't a final, it's not a matter of life and death,” the former defender continued.

“Gonzalo García played an excellent match last time, and on Sunday we have another game where he will be the primary striker. That's all there is to it. I have no issues with anyone. I make the decisions, and I understand that those who don't play are unhappy. I can understand Mbappé's disappointment at not playing, but it's a decision based on the circumstances. I didn't want to risk playing him after only three days. This was the most logical and natural decision, dictated by common sense,” the coach emphasized.

“If you want, play me the recording from the mixed zone, and then we can discuss it. Until I hear exactly what he said, I won't comment on every phrase,” Arbeloa added.

Real Madrid secured a 2-0 victory against already-relegated Oviedo, with goals from Gonzalo García and Jude Bellingham.