Published On 5/15/2026
The clash between Alvaro Arbeloa and Kylian Mbappe is no longer just a passing tension within the corridors of “Valdebebas”, but rather turned into a public controversy whose features emerged after the recent confrontation with Oviedo.
The newspaper “Marca” reported that this clash reflects a clear difference in the approach followed by Arbeloa, as Vinicius Junior enjoys full support within the system, while Mbappe receives strict critical signals.
Read also
list of 2 itemsend of list
Vinicius…dancing under the umbrella of immunity
When Arbeloa took over the team, he made clear one of his first principles about the style of play he wanted: “We want to see a Vinicius who is dancing, who is laughing, who is having fun. I will ask my teammates to look for Vinicius and pass him as many balls as possible.”
This was the beginning of a relationship that did not end, despite the Brazilian’s inconsistent season.
The coach defended the Brazilian’s fluctuations in level by recalling his early achievements, describing them as a “rare miracle,” stressing that the “Madridist spirit” runs in the veins of the player who gave the club two Champions League titles.
For Arbeloa, Vinicius is not just a winger but a “natural leader” and a beloved teammate who embodies total commitment to the club’s motto.
Arbeloa did not hesitate to praise Vinicius, but continued to be keen to please him, saying: “He is one of the most mysterious players in the world, if not the most. He has a strong personality and defends this club with all his might.”
He also did not hesitate to praise Vinicius individually, even in important matches such as the Atletico Madrid derby: “Another wonderful match from Vinic, another proof of talent and courage.”
Mbappé is in the crosshairs of criticism
On the other side of the praise, his comments about Mbappe were characterized by reserved diplomacy and frankness, before they changed into a sharp attack coinciding with the fluctuation in the presence of the French star due to injuries.
This lapse dates back to 2022, when Mbappe turned his back on Real Madrid, postponing the deal again, and Arbeloa made his famous statement: “Neither history nor dreams can be bought, and Mbappe made a mistake.”
Veiled responses continued to be based on insinuation rather than statement in times of bad results. The coach rarely said the player’s name, but the arrows were clear in phrases such as: “Talent alone is not enough, and to win we need everyone’s effort.”
Perhaps the harshest statement, which was interpreted against Mbappe without naming him, was Arbeloa saying: “Real Madrid was not made with players wearing uniforms,” in an explicit allusion to the series of injuries and successive absences that have haunted the Frenchman.
Moving without the ball
Signs of escalating tension between the two sides were evident when Arbeloa criticized the technical performance, saying: “We have to make more movements without the ball, even if that is uncomfortable, and no matter how difficult it is.”
The criticism did not stop at the tactical aspect, but rather extended to the extent of the French star’s commitment to the club’s daily routine. Following the defeat in the first leg against Bayern Munich, the coach commented in a sour tone: “This is the Mbappe we want to see, the Mbappe who wants to be Mbappe every day.”
Even in the match that witnessed Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Villarreal, with the signing of Mbappe, Arbeloa chose to direct his praise to another party, declaring: “They are two of the best football players in the world. We are watching the great Vinicius.”
This estrangement was offset by the French striker’s public exit from Lisbon after the Champions League defeat to Benfica, where he said: “It is not about quality, nor about tactics; it is about a greater desire.”
The response from Arbeloa was quick and direct: “We are working to find solutions. This is not a time for frustration, nor a time for joy.”
The coach, who entered into a heated and direct discussion with the French player, continued, concluding the situation by saying: “It is only a matter of work.”
The relationship reached a very complicated stage when Mbappe left the last training session before facing El Clásico due to muscle pain. This is the moment when Arbeloa concealed his dissatisfaction.
Tension reached its peak before the Oviedo match; When Mbappé left training due to muscle pain, Arbeloa did not hide his dissatisfaction, declaring in a skeptical tone: “Let’s see if he can finish the training session today… If he can, he will get some time.”
