Real Madrid secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Real Oviedo on Tuesday, but the story that dominated the post‑match discussion was not the scoreline.
Kylian Mbappe, still recovering from a thigh injury that has kept him out of the last two fixtures, including the recent El Clásico, was deliberately left out of the starting eleven.
The omission sparked a torrent of criticism on social media, where a petition demanding "Mbappe Out" rapidly gathered millions of signatures, underscoring the intense scrutiny surrounding the French forward.
Arbeloa's Response
Alvaro Arbeloa, who has known Mbappe since the player’s early days in the club’s youth system, acknowledged the forward’s frustration but stressed that the situation is more routine than it appears.
The manager explained that Mbappe’s desire to feature is natural after missing key matches, and he emphasized that the player’s relationship with the coaching staff remains strong.
Arbeloa also highlighted the club’s confidence in Mbappe’s professionalism, noting that the squad will continue to support him as he works toward full match fitness.
While the debate persists among fans, the manager’s measured tone suggests the focus will soon shift back to on‑field performance as Real Madrid aims to build momentum for upcoming fixtures.