Arbeloa told me I’ve been demoted to fourth striker – Mbappé
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has claimed that head coach Álvaro Arbeloa told him he is now only the fourth-choice striker at the club. The France captain made the remark after starting on the bench in Los Blancos’ 2–0 La Liga win over Real Oviedo at the Santiago Bernabéu. Mbappé, who recently returned from a hamstring injury, insisted he was fully fit and ready to start the match. “I’m 100% fine. I didn’t play because, for the coach, I’ve been the fourth-choice striker behind (Franco) Mastantuono, Vini and Gonzalo,” he told reporters in the mixed zone. The 27-year-old explained that Arbeloa opted to start Vinícius Júnior and youngster Gonzalo García in attack, with teenage sensation Mastantuono also ahead of him in the pecking order. “I was ready to start, but Arbeloa informed me that I am now the fourth striker. […]
