What Kylian Mbappe thinks of becoming Real Madrid’s ‘fourth striker’ under Alvaro Arbeloa
Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images Kylian Mbappe has made it clear he will respect Alvaro Arbeloa’s choices after claiming he has fallen down Real Madrid’s attacking order. The comments landed at a tense moment in Madrid, with Mbappe returning from injury while questions around his role, form, and relationship with supporters keep growing.
Instead of escalating the situation, Mbappe tried to sound calm. But his words still revealed how strange his position has become under Arbeloa. Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images Kylian Mbappe accepts Alvaro Arbeloa’s call despite Real Madrid pecking order shock As Sky Sports News shared, Kylian Mbappe said he was fit to play but accepted Arbeloa’s decision to place others ahead of him.
“I’m 100% fine. I haven’t played because for the coach I’ve been the fourth striker in the squad behind Mastantuono, Vini, and Gonzalo. “I was ready to start, it’s his decision and it always has to be respected,” Mbappe said.
That answer was striking because Mbappe is not a fringe forward. He remains one of the biggest names in world football and has produced huge numbers for Real Madrid this season. Still, the timing explains part of the situation.
Mbappe had recently been dealing with an injury, and Arbeloa used him from the bench during Madrid’s 2-0 win over Real Oviedo. The coach later pushed back on the idea that he had called Mbappe the fourth striker, saying he wished he had four strikers and framing the decision as rotation and match-readiness. Kylian Mbappe says his Real Madrid fight starts with outworking rivals Mbappe also insisted there is no personal issue with Arbeloa, even while admitting he now has to force his way back ahead of the players currently being trusted.