Mbappe is unhappy with the substitute lineup; Arbeloa explains the logic behind starting.

Real Madrid defeated Oviedo 2-0 in La Liga, but the focus after the match was entirely on the conflict between star player Kylian Mbappé and manager Álvaro Arbeloa.

Kylian Mbappé, who had missed three weeks due to a thigh injury, only came on as a substitute in the 69th minute of the match and was booed by the home fans. After the game, Mbappé directly expressed his dissatisfaction in the mixed zone.

Mbappe believes he is 100% recovered, but he was not included in the starting lineup. Mbappe told reporters: "I didn't play because the coach told me that for him I am the fourth striker in the lineup, after Mustantuno, Vinicius and Gonzalo."

Regarding the controversy surrounding his absence from El Clásico due to injury and his subsequent vacation in Sardinia, Mbappe explained: "I had the club's permission not to stay in Madrid. I don't understand what people are saying, but I have to accept it."

Faced with Mbappe's comments, head coach Arbeloa appeared somewhat helpless at the press conference. He insisted that there had been a misunderstanding: "I don't know what to say, he definitely misunderstood me. I absolutely could not have told him he was the fourth striker."

Arbeloa explained his reasoning for not starting him: "A player who wasn't even on the roster four days ago shouldn't start today, especially since this isn't a do-or-die match. There's another game on Sunday, and he'll definitely be the first-choice striker then." He emphasized that as the coach, he has to decide who plays and doesn't want to take any risks.

With Barcelona clinching the title early, Real Madrid faces the embarrassing prospect of going two consecutive years without a trophy. Despite Mbappe's 41 goals this season, fan doubts about his commitment, coupled with verbal clashes with the manager, have brought the atmosphere in Real Madrid's dressing room to a freezing point.

Image source: Internet/ESPN official website