Kylian Mbappe tension grows inside Real Madrid camp

Kylian Mbappe has reportedly left members of Alvaro Arbeloa’s backroom staff frustrated after a tense public episode following Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over already-relegated Real Oviedo.

The Athletic claims the irritation is about more than just his post-match comments, with concerns also raised about his behaviour in the build-up to the game.

Mbappe started on the bench, only coming on in the 69th minute before stopping to speak to the media. He insisted he was “100 per cent” fit and said the coach had told him he was the “fourth striker” behind Mastantuono, Vinicius, and Gonzalo. Arbeloa later rejected that version in his press conference, saying Mbappe must have misunderstood and arguing that a player not fit enough for the bench four days earlier could not expect to start.

The report adds that tension had already been boiling, with staff unhappy that Mbappe was only cleared to train the day before the match and critical of his trip to Italy with his partner while recovering from a hamstring injury. A frank conversation between player and coach took place on Thursday, underlining that this is now seen as a wider issue of attitude and discipline rather than a single selection call.