Public disagreement between Kylian Mbappe and Alvaro Arbeloa at Real Madrid

Following Real Madrid's 2-0 victory against Oviedo, a verbal dispute emerged between striker Kylian Mbappe and coach Alvaro Arbeloa. Mbappe, who entered the match as a substitute, stated that the coach informed him he was fourth in the team's attacking hierarchy behind Mastantuono, Vini, and Gonzalo. The player noted that he was fully fit and accepted the decision despite the frustration surrounding the team's performance. In response, coach Alvaro Arbeloa publicly denied making those claims. Arbeloa clarified that he never identified Mbappe as a fourth-choice striker and emphasized that he holds final authority over team selection. The coach asserted that Mbappe is considered the primary forward, suggesting a misunderstanding on the player's part. The atmosphere at the club remains tense, with fans expressing dissatisfaction toward the team and president Florentino Perez following a second consecutive season without a title.