Real Madrid recorded an easy 2-0 win over Real Oviedo in the La Liga fixture on Thursday, but were hit by a huge controversy after the game. Kylian Mbappe, who returned from injury and started the game from the bench, revealed that head coach Alvaro Arbeloa called him the fourth-choice forward in the Real Madrid squad, but the latter rejected this claim.

Mbappe has been the best forward for Real Madrid since his arrival at Bernabeu in 2024, and is leading the La Liga charts with 24 goals in 29 appearances in the 2025-26 season. He suffered a hamstring injury last month and missed Real Madrid's crucial game against Barcelona last week.

Upon his return, Mbappe was introduced as a substitute at the 69th minute by Arbeloa. The Frenchman was greeted with booes from the home fans, who are questioning the player's commitment towards the club.

After the game, Kylian Mbappe revealed that he was 100% fit to start, and also claimed that Arbeloa told him he is the fourth-choice forward in the squad, behind Franco Mastantuono, Vinicius Junior, and Gonzalo Garcia.

"I'm well, I'm 100%," Mbappe told reporters after the game. "I didn't play because the coach Arbeloa told me I'm the fourth-choice forward in the squad behind Franco Mastantuono, Vinicius Junior, and Gonzalo. I accept it and play the time I'm given. I think I played well. I was ready to start. I'm not angry with the manager. You always have to respect a coach's decision. I'll work hard to get back into the starting lineup."

When confronted about Mbappe's remarks, Alvaro Arbeloa rejected the claim, explaining his reason to bench the in-form forward.

"I wish I had four forwards," Arbeloa said in the post-match press conference. "I don't have four forwards, and I certainly didn't say anything like that to Mbappe. Perhaps he didn't understand me. I don't know what else to tell you. At no point could I tell him that he's the fourth-choice forward. I'm the 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 might have interpreted it."

Kylian Mbappe explains his Italy trip during injury recovery

Kylian Mbappe suffered a hamstring injury during Real Madrid's 1-1 draw against Real Betis on April 24. He was expected to miss two weeks of action and return for the El Clasico at Camp Nou. However, the 27-year-old failed to recover before the Barcelona game, where the Los Blancos fell 0-2.

Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe leads the scoring charts this season despite losing 7 La Liga games - Image source: X/LaLigaEN

However, during his recovery period, Mbappe was spotted in Italy with actress Ester Exposito, enjoying a holiday. This irked Real Madrid fans, who criticized the former PSG star for his lack of effort to recover before the Barcelona game.

After the Oviedo game, Kylian Mbappe revealed that his trip was authorized by the club.

“I had the club's permission to be away from Madrid," Mbappe said. "You can't change people's minds when they're angry. I shouldn't take it personally. It's the life of a Real Madrid player, and a famous player like me. They're not happy. That's the only way to understand the whistles."

Real Madrid have failed to win La Liga and the UEFA Champions League since Kylian Mbappe's famous move from PSG.

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