Real(ity) Madrid keeps delivering madness: Mbappe starts war with coach Arbeloa

Reality show - that is probably the best way to describe what Real Madrid have become in recent days.

With tension already boiling around the club after another turbulent week at the Santiago Bernabeu, the spotlight shifted from president Florentino Perez to a new episode starring Kylian Mbappe and head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

The drama exploded after Madrid's 2-0 home win over Real Oviedo on Thursday night, when Mbappe stunned reporters in the mixed zone by claiming Arbeloa had told him he was currently only the club's "fourth-choice attacker."

"Why didn't I start? Because the coach told me I'm the fourth forward in this team right now," Mbappe said.

"He told me Vinicius, Mastantuono and Gonzalo Garcia were ahead of me. I was ready to start, but it was his decision."

The French superstar insisted he had no personal issue with Arbeloa, but his comments immediately sent shockwaves through Madrid.

"I have no problem with him," Mbappe added. "You have to accept the coach's ideas. My job is to work harder and become better than Vinicius, Mastantuono and Gonzalo."

The 27-year-old also addressed criticism surrounding his controversial trip to Italy in recent weeks, denying accusations he had prioritised rest over helping the team during a disastrous trophyless season.

"The club gave me permission to leave Madrid," he explained. "And I wasn't the only player away from the city. People call it a vacation, but they don't know what I was doing there. My only mistake this season is that I didn’t help the team win titles."

Mbappe also reacted calmly to boos from sections of Madrid supporters.

"You have to accept it. It's football. Fans whistle when things go badly - nobody is going to die because of that tonight."

The Frenchman even defended Perez amid growing criticism aimed at the Madrid president.

"He is the best president in the history of Real Madrid," Mbappe said. "People forget everything he has done for this club."

However, less than 30 minutes later, Arbeloa publicly contradicted his own player.

"I never told him he was the fourth striker," the Madrid coach responded. "We don't even have four strikers, so clearly there has been some misunderstanding."

Arbeloa explained that Mbappe's place on the bench had little to do with hierarchy and far more to do with rotation and recent performances.

"Gonzalo deserved to play after his last match, and we also have another game on Sunday where Kylian will start, as I already indicated to him," Arbeloa said.

"I am the Real Madrid coach. I decide who plays and who sits on the bench. Of course, I understand players are unhappy when they don't start, and I understand Kylian as well. But the decision was based on football reasons."

The awkward exchange only deepened the sense of instability surrounding Madrid after a season filled with dressing-room tension, public controversies and disappointing results.

And once again, Mbappe finds himself right at the centre of the storm.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 36

Tuesday

Celta - Levante 2-3 (1-1)

/Jutgla 48, 4 - Arriaga 43, Fuente 57, Brugue 63/

Betis - Elche 2-1 (1-1)

/Hernandez 9, Fornals 68 - Fort 41/

Osasuna - Atletico Madrid 1-2 (0-1)

/Barja 90+1 - Lookman 15(p), Sorloth 71/

Wednesday

Espanyol - Athletic Bilbao 2-0 (0-0)

/Milla 69, Garcia 90+2/

Villarreal - Sevilla 2-3 (2-2)

/Moreno 13, Mikautadze 20 - Oso 36, Salas 45+2, Adams 72/

Alaves - Barcelona 1-0 (1-0)

/Diabate 45+1/

Getafe - Mallorca 3-1 (2-0)

/Satriano 14, 41, Romero 63 - Mascarell 65/

Thursday

Valencia - Rayo Vallecano 1-1 (1-1)

/Lopez 40 - Lejeune 20/

Girona - Real Sociedad 1-1 (0-1)

/Stuani 66 - Martin 28/

Real Madrid - Oviedo 2-0 (1-0)

/Garcia 44, Bellingham 80/