Recent weeks have seen reports of tension within the Real Madrid squad, with manager Alvaro Arbeloa at the center of some of these narratives. Following Real Madrid’s victory over Real Oviedo, Kylian Mbappe publicly voiced his frustrations regarding Arbeloa. While Arbeloa initially addressed the matter, he elaborated on his stance during his pre-match press conference ahead of the team’s trip to Sevilla, as reported by Diario AS.
Arbeloa stated, “I just saw him. I told him to be calm, that I was taking care of it. I understand that these things may seem newsworthy. Everything Kylian said in the mixed zone is something I had already spoken to him about before. I view it with more naturalness because, as I always tell my players, I’ve been in their shoes. I understand how players feel in all situations. I know what it’s like to play every match, I know what it’s like to play less, I know what it’s like not to play… I perfectly understand how players feel when they don’t get game time.”
“I know Kylian wasn’t happy the other day, and I like that. I wouldn’t understand it if Kylian Mbappe didn’t want to play for his team, even in a situation like this. For me, it’s something that is much more normal than it’s being portrayed. I believe that, given his situation at the time, the best course of action for me was for him to play the second half for a period so that I could manage him for Sunday’s game. Perhaps without the match yesterday, the situation would have been different. But nothing more. I see what has happened these days as very normal. My relationship with Mbappe remains unchanged.”
Arbeloa: No Issue with Mbappe Going Public
Arbeloa acknowledged that he doesn’t have an issue with Mbappe airing his grievances publicly, though he would have preferred the matter to be resolved internally.
“Whenever I speak with the players, I’m not concerned that they might comment on or express anything about our conversations. When I speak privately, I prefer it to remain private, but I don’t mind them making a conversation they’ve had with me public. I spoke with him before the game, and what I explained to him is what I’ve explained to you, and there’s no major problem.”
