Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé has reportedly expressed dissatisfaction not only with manager Álvaro Arbeloa but also with a teammate within the dressing room. The French forward has been the subject of recent scrutiny regarding his perceived lack of commitment, an issue he has publicly addressed.
Last week, Mbappé made an unexpected appearance in the mixed zone, revealing that Arbeloa had informed him he was the fourth-choice forward. He also defended his decision to take a holiday in Sardinia with his girlfriend, Ester Expósito, prior to a game against Espanyol. Reports had indicated that Real Madrid was concerned about his behavior, with President Florentino Pérez planning to discuss the matter with him.
Mbappé Feels Mistreated by Arbeloa
According to El Chiringuito, Mbappé feels Arbeloa has been mistreating him lately, considering his benching in El Clásico disrespectful. Following this perceived slight, Mbappé withdrew from the squad, citing a hamstring injury. He reportedly drew a parallel with Thibaut Courtois, who, despite also recovering from an injury, returned to the starting lineup immediately and even went on holiday during his recovery.
Mbappé Believes Vinícius Júnior is Leaking Stories About Him
Further reports suggest that Mbappé and his camp suspect teammate Vinícius Júnior is responsible for leaking negative stories about him, aiming to portray him negatively. The belief is that Vinícius is strategically positioning himself to emerge as the team’s undisputed star ahead of Mbappé. This comes at a time when Vinícius is reportedly negotiating a new contract with Real Madrid, demanding wages comparable to the Frenchman’s.
Mbappé and other unnamed Real Madrid players also reportedly hold Vinícius responsible for the dismissal of Xabi Alonso, believing he deliberately engineered the Basque coach’s exit. This group of players is said to feel that Alonso was a superior manager to Arbeloa. This is not the first time that a division within the dressing room has been suggested following Alonso’s departure.
