Arbeloa dismisses Mbappe rift after 'fourth choice' substitution row at Real Madrid
Synopsis
Arbeloa's pre-match press conference before Real Madrid's trip to Sevilla turned into a referendum on his tenure — Mbappe publicly called himself the 'fourth choice' forward, the coach admitted he told the superstar to 'relax', and then effectively endorsed Mourinho as his own replacement. With Barcelona already champions and Madrid coasting in second, the real drama at the Bernabeu is entirely off the pitch.
Key Takeaways
Kylian Mbappe told reporters after Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Oviedo that he was coach Alvaro Arbeloa's 'fourth choice' forward.
Mbappe entered as a substitute and was reportedly booed by sections of the crowd on and off the ball.
Arbeloa insisted his relationship with Mbappe 'remains the same', attributing the bench role to the forward's recent fitness issues.
Injuries to Eder Militao , Federico Valverde , Ferland Mendy , and Arda Guler have further stretched the squad.
Barcelona have already won the La Liga title; Real Madrid sit second with two games remaining.
Arbeloa openly endorsed Jose Mourinho as a potential successor, saying the Portuguese is 'number one' for him.
Real Madrid interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa on Saturday, 17 May 2025 moved to publicly defuse tensions with star forward Kylian Mbappe, insisting their relationship remains intact despite the Frenchman's pointed remarks about being used as a substitute in the midweek win over Oviedo. The comments have intensified scrutiny on Arbeloa's already fragile tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu.
What Mbappe Said
The friction broke into the open on Thursday when Mbappe told reporters after Real Madrid's 2-0 victory over Oviedo that he was Arbeloa's 'fourth choice' forward — a direct and unusually candid broadside from a player of his stature. The Frenchman had entered the match as a substitute and was reportedly booed by sections of the crowd both when he ran onto the pitch and each time he touched the ball.
What Arbeloa Said in Response
Facing the press ahead of Sunday's La Liga trip to Sevilla, Arbeloa sought to play down the episode. 'I was just coming up here, and I saw him. I told him to relax,' the coach said. He added: 'We had already discussed everything he said, so I take it in my stride as I understand how players feel when they're not playing. Kylian wasn't happy the other day, and I see what's happened these past few days as perfectly normal, and my relationship with Mbappe remains the same.' Arbeloa attributed Mbappe's bench role to recent fitness concerns rather than any tactical preference.
A Season Unravelling
The internal discord arrives at a moment when Real Madrid have little left to play for on the pitch. Barcelona have already clinched the La Liga title, leaving Arbeloa's side settled in second place. Sunday's opponents, Sevilla, are fighting for top-flight survival and will need a result. Compounding Arbeloa's difficulties is a lengthy injury list: Eder Militao, Federico Valverde, Ferland Mendy, and Arda Guler are all currently sidelined, stripping the squad of considerable depth ahead of the penultimate fixture of the campaign.
Mourinho Rumours and Arbeloa's Candid Admission
Speculation around the dugout has grown louder, with reports circulating that Jose Mourinho is being considered to replace Arbeloa ahead of next season. The coach appeared to acknowledge his uncertain future with notable candour: 'The club will make a decision about next season's manager, they'll do it when they deem it appropriate.' He went further, offering what amounted to an endorsement of his rumoured successor: 'For me, as a player and a Real Madrid fan, Mourinho is number one. I thought that a month ago, and I still think it. He is and always will be one of us. If he's here next season, I'll be very happy to see him back home.' The remarks were striking in their openness and drew immediate attention across European football media.
What Comes Next
With only two matches remaining in the La Liga season, the immediate footballing stakes for Real Madrid are low — but the off-field dynamics are anything but. The club's end-of-season review is expected to determine Arbeloa's fate, and Mbappe's public dissatisfaction adds pressure to what is already a turbulent conclusion to the campaign. How the squad responds in Sevilla on Sunday may offer a final read on the dressing-room temperature before decisions are made.
Point of View
However warmly intended, signal that even he no longer believes he will be in the dugout next season. The more revealing story here is Mbappe's: a generational talent publicly airing grievances through the press rather than the dressing room suggests a communication breakdown that pre-dates fitness concerns. Real Madrid's sporting structure will need to address not just who coaches next season, but how a squad containing a disgruntled Mbappe is managed in the interim.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kylian Mbappe say about Alvaro Arbeloa?
Mbappe told reporters after Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Oviedo that he was Arbeloa's 'fourth choice' forward. The comments came after the French star entered the match as a substitute and was booed by sections of the crowd.
How did Arbeloa respond to Mbappe's 'fourth choice' claim?
Arbeloa said he had already spoken with Mbappe and told him to 'relax'. The coach insisted their relationship 'remains the same' and attributed Mbappe's substitute role to recent fitness issues rather than a tactical demotion.
Is Jose Mourinho returning to Real Madrid?
Reports suggest Mourinho is being considered to replace Arbeloa ahead of next season, though no official announcement has been made. Arbeloa himself said the club would decide 'when they deem it appropriate' and called Mourinho 'number one' as both a player and a Real Madrid fan.
Where do Real Madrid stand in La Liga 2025?
Real Madrid are second in La Liga with two matches remaining. Barcelona have already clinched the title, leaving Madrid with nothing to play for in the table. Their next match is away to Sevilla, who need a win to secure top-flight survival.
Which Real Madrid players are currently injured?
Arbeloa confirmed that Eder Militao, Federico Valverde, Ferland Mendy, and Arda Guler are all on the injury list ahead of the trip to Sevilla, significantly limiting his available options.
