MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé said this after not starting Real Madrid’s Spanish league game. soccer In Thursday’s game against Oviedo, coach Alvaro Arbeloa selected him as the team’s fourth-choice striker.
Arbeloa appeared surprised by Mbappé’s words and said he did not know why Mbappé felt that way.
Mbappe, who was nursing a left hamstring injury, said he was ready to play from the start against Oviedo, but Arbeloa decided not to use him.
“I’m 100% okay,” Mbappe said. “I didn’t play because for the coach I was the fourth-choice striker after[Franco]Mastantuono, Vini[Vinius Junior]and Gonzalo[Garcia]. I was ready to start. It was his decision and you always have to respect it. I’m not angry.”
Arbeloa later said that he never told Mbappé that he was the team’s fourth striker.
“I don’t have four strikers and I haven’t said anything like that to Mbappe,” Arbeloa said. “Maybe he didn’t understand me. I really don’t know what to say. I won’t tell him he’s the fourth-choice striker.”
The disagreement between Arbeloa and Mbappé is the latest in a chaotic week for Madrid, which began with an altercation between the players during training that saw the club fine Federico Valverde and Aurélien Choameni. 500,000 euros each ($589,000).
They then lost 0-2 to Barcelona. Sunday’s Clasico This allowed their rivals to win the league title. On Tuesday, edgy Madrid President Florentino Perez called for new elections, saying he was the victim of an “organized campaign” to oust him.
Mbappe, who replaced Garcia in the 68th minute, was booed by the crowd at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. He assisted Jude Bellingham’s goal in the 79th minute, sealing Madrid’s 2-0 victory.
The France star had been criticized by some fans who claimed he was saving himself ahead of the World Cup. Mbappe reportedly traveled to Italy with actress Esther Exposito during his injury break, prompting criticism in Spanish media that he was not taking his rehabilitation seriously.
The striker downplayed the importance of his trip.
“I had the club’s permission to leave Madrid,” Mbappe said. “I wasn’t the only one, but you have to accept it and move on. I can easily turn this around.”
Mbappe has yet to fully live up to the expectations that made him so popular when he signed for Madrid two seasons ago. The club has not won any major trophies since he joined.
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