The striker was jeered by fans when he came off the bench after returning from injury in the 2-0 La Liga win against Real Oviedo.
Published May 15, 2026
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe says that before he was put on the bench against Real Oviedo, coach Alvaro Arbeloa told him he was the team’s “fourth forward”.
The French captain returned from a thigh problem in Thursday’s 2-0 win over Oviedo, but was substituted in the 69th minute, prompting the whistle from disgruntled Madrid supporters at the Santiago Bernabéu.
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Madrid fans have criticized the top scorer in recent weeks for what they perceive to be a lack of commitment, with Mbappe not fit to play in last weekend’s Clasico, where Barcelona defeated Madrid to win the Spanish title.
Arbeloa started Vinicius Junior, Franco Mastantuono and Gonzalo Garcia in attack against Oviedo, and Mbappe had not played for nearly three weeks.
“I’m 100% and very good. I didn’t play because the coach told me that I’m the fourth forward in the team after Mastantuono, Vinicius and Gonzalo,” Mbappe told reporters after the match.
The forward assisted Madrid’s second goal with a pass to fellow substitute Jude Bellingham.
“In the end I just have to accept[being on the bench]and play the minutes I’m supposed to play,” the striker continued.
Fans were unhappy that Mbappé had traveled to Sardinia on holiday while recovering from an injury.
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.”
Madrid coach Arbeloa said in the post-match press conference that he had not told Mbappé that he would be moved down the rankings.
“Maybe he didn’t understand me very well. I don’t know what to say,” Arbeloa told reporters.
“For me, it’s clear that a player who couldn’t even be on the bench for the game four days ago shouldn’t start today, especially since this isn’t a final and it’s not a life-or-death game…
“And as I told him, we have a game on Sunday where he will be the first choice forward.”
Arbeloa said it was understandable that Mbappé, who has scored 41 goals in 42 appearances this season, was not happy.
“I understand that Kylian Mbappé is not happy about not playing today, but this was a decision based on the circumstances and, as I said before, I did not want to take any risks,” the manager added.
Madrid’s season was extremely difficult, and Arbeloa replaced manager Xabi Alonso in January.
With Barça clinching the La Liga title, Los Blancos will now be without a major trophy for the second year in a row, prompting president Florentino Perez to call for elections.
