After not starting, Mbappé says Real Madrid coach Arbeloa has made him the fourth-choice striker

TL;DR

Kylian Mbappé stated he is now the fourth-choice striker for Real Madrid under coach Álvaro Arbeloa after not starting in a recent match. Arbeloa denied making such a claim, leading to confusion between the two.

Key points

Kylian Mbappé claims he's the fourth-choice striker at Real Madrid.
Coach Álvaro Arbeloa denies making this statement.
Real Madrid is facing turmoil after recent player fines and a loss to Barcelona.

Mentioned in this story

Kylian MbappéÁlvaro ArbeloaFederico ValverdeAurélien TchouaméniFlorentino PérezJude Bellingham

Real MadridBarcelona

MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé said after not starting in Real Madrid's Spanish league soccer match against Oviedo on Thursday that coach Álvaro Arbeloa had made him the team's fourth-choice striker. Arbeloa appeared to be caught by surprise by Mbappé's words and said he doesn't know why Mbappé felt like that. Mbappé, who had been 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% fine,” Mbappé said. “I didn’t play because, for the coach, I’ve been the fourth-choice striker behind (Franco) Mastantuono, Vini (Vinícius Júnior) and Gonzalo (García). I was ready to start, it was his decision, and you always have to respect it. I’m not angry.” Arbeloa later said he never told Mbappé he was the fourth striker in the squad. “I don’t have four strikers, and I haven’t told anything like that to Mbappé,” Arbeloa said. “He probably didn’t understand me. I don’t really know what to tell you. I wouldn’t tell him that he’s the fourth-choice striker.” The disagreement between Arbeloa and Mbappé is the latest in a chaotic week for Madrid, which started with an altercation between players in training that led the club to fine Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni 500,000 euros ($589,000) each. Then came the 2-0 loss to Barcelona in the that allowed its rival to clinch the league title. On Tuesday, an edgy Madrid president Florentino Pérez called for new elections after saying he was the victim of an “organized campaign” to unseat him. Mbappé was booed by the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium after coming into the match to replace García in the 68th minute. He assisted in 's 79th-minute goal that sealed Madrid's 2-0 win. The star had been criticized by some fans who claimed he was saving himself for the World Cup. During his time off because of the injury, Mbappé reportedly traveled to with actress Ester Expósito, prompting criticism in Spanish media that he may not be taking his rehabilitation seriously. The striker downplayed the importance of his trip. “I had the club's permission to be away from Madrid," Mbappé said. "I wasn’t the only one, but you have to accept it and move on. I can easily turn this situation around.” Mbappé has not yet fully met expectations of his high-profile signing with Madrid two seasons ago. The club has not won a major trophy since he arrived. \\_ AP soccer:

Q&A

Why did Kylian Mbappé say he is the fourth-choice striker at Real Madrid?

Mbappé claimed he was informed by coach Álvaro Arbeloa that he was the fourth-choice striker, following other players like Franco Mastantuono, Vinícius Júnior, and Gonzalo García.

What was Álvaro Arbeloa's response to Mbappé's comments?

Arbeloa expressed surprise at Mbappé's statement, stating he never told him he was the fourth-choice striker and that he doesn't have four strikers in the squad.

What recent events have contributed to the chaos at Real Madrid?

Recent chaos includes a training altercation leading to fines for Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, a loss to Barcelona in the clasico, and Madrid president Florentino Pérez calling for new elections.