Former Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa has publicly refuted claims made by Kylian Mbappe that the French forward was considered the 'fourth choice' striker at the club. The dispute arose after Real Madrid's 2-0 victory over Real Oviedo on May 14, 2026, where Mbappe started on the bench and later expressed frustration about his lack of recent starts.
Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the match, Mbappe stated that he felt undervalued, suggesting he was behind other forwards in the pecking order. However, Arbeloa, who played for Real Madrid from 2009 to 2016 and again from 2017 to 2020, took to social media to deny these claims, saying, 'I didn't say that' in response to reports linking him to such statements.
The incident has sparked debate among fans and pundits, with some booing Mbappe during the match. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has not commented publicly on the matter, but the club's official stance remains focused on team unity. As of May 15, 2026, no further statements have been issued by either party.
