Kylian Mbappe certainly is unique.
The Real Madrid striker is under intense pressure in Spain having missed multiple games this season and spent his time off injured on holiday with his new girlfriend.
He caused particular anger when me missed a match against Barcelona last time out which settled LaLiga in their Clasico rival’s favour.
Mbappe had returned to training ahead of the clash, but caused some anger by laughing and smiling out of the training ground, having just come back from a holiday trip to Italy.
He then missed the Barca clash with ‘muscle strain’ something many considered nowhere near a good enough excuse, assuming he was instead putting France and the World Cup first.
Real Madrid fans vent at Mbappe
So when Mbappe came on in a 2-0 win over Real Oviedo, the Bernabeu unleashed like never before this year.
In a season full of boos for a trophyless campaign, Mbappe got by far the worst when he came on for Gonzalo Garcia in the 69th minute.
Yet unlike teammates such as Vinicius Jr who put their hands up to show remorse, Mbappe just grinned, much like at the training ground.
However, that was far from the end of the drama, as Mbappe caused even more headlines when speaking to the press post-match.
Mbappe turns on Arbeloa
“I’m 100% fine,” he said. “I haven’t played because, for the manager, I’m the fourth-choice striker in the squad behind Mastantuono, Vini, and Gonzalo.
“I was ready to start, it’s his decision and you always have to respect it. I’m not angry.”
He responded to another question, adding: “I have no problem with Arbeloa. You have to respect him.
“You have to accept the coach’s philosophy, and I have to do my best to play ahead of Vini, Gonzalo, and Mastantuono.
“I don’t watch the manager’s press conferences. At home, I have French television, not Spanish.”
Arbeloa has previously been a staunch defender of Mbappe, defending his trips away, and also against the increasing narrative that he doesn’t understand the club.
Yet his comments before the Barca match may have changed things when he said he wanted total commitment from all his players, something interpreted as a message from the absent Mbappe.
Arbeloa responds to Mbappe
When informed of Mbappe’s quotes, a baffled Arbeloa said: “I wish I had four strikers.
“I don’t have four strikers, and I haven’t said anything like that to Mbappe. He probably didn’t understand me.
“I don’t really know what to tell you. I could never have told him he’s the fourth striker.”
“It’s clear that if I don’t play him, he can’t play. I’m the coach, and I’m the one who decides who plays and who doesn’t.
“I had a conversation with him before the match. I don’t know what he might have interpreted. A player who wasn’t on the bench four days ago shouldn’t have started today.
“I can understand that Mbappe isn’t happy about not playing, but it’s a decision based on the circumstances.”
Still baffled, he added: “If you want, you can show me Kylian’s mixed zone and we can discuss it.
“Until I hear what he’s said, I’m not going to comment on every single sentence. He’s probably scored many more goals in the first half of the season than in the second.”
Mbappe defends trips away
There was more from Mbappe to cause headlines as he defended his holidays with his girlfriend.
“When I wasn’t in Madrid, I had the club’s permission,” he said.
“I wasn’t the only one, but you have to accept it and move on. I can easily change this situation.
“It was a shame for me not to play in the Clásico. That’s life. We can’t change people’s opinions. It’s their way of doing things, and I don’t take it personally.
“I’ve had moments in my career where I’ve been booed. It’s part of the business and of life. Sometimes they’re not happy, but they’re always here.”
Shockingly for Mbappe, the boos very much were personal, and until he gets it, the situation will only worsen.
Leave a Reply