The French striker Kylian Mbappé, player of the Real Madrid revealed that he was a substitute in the match against Oviedo because his coach, Álvaro Arbeloa, He informed him that he is currently “the fourth forward” of the team.
“I’m fine, 100%. I wasn’t a starter because the coach told me that I’m the fourth forward, behind Vinícius, Mastantuono, Brahim and Gonzalo. I accept it and play the minutes they give me. I was ready to start, but it’s his decision and I’m not upset. We have to respect it. I have to work to be a starter again,” he declared in the mixed zone.
The attacker insisted that there is no conflict with the coach and that he understands the decision. “I don’t have any problem. Each coach has his idea and we have to accept it. I have to make an effort to be ahead of my teammates and earn the minutes,” he added.
Mbappé also assured that he does not follow his coach’s press conferences. “I don’t see what the coach says. At home I watch French television, not Spanish,” he commented.
The forward decided to speak to the media after receiving whistles from the fans for the first time since his arrival at the club. “I prefer to say it myself, it’s clearer,” he explained.
Regarding the boos, it took away the drama of the situation. “It’s part of football. You can’t change people’s opinions when they’re upset. It’s a way of expressing themselves and you don’t have to take it personally. It’s already happened to me throughout my career, it’s part of being a Real Madrid player and being exposed,” he stated.
Mbappé had been at the center of criticism for his trip to Sardinia, Italy, with his partner, in the process of recovering from muscle discomfort, which led to his absence in the classic against Barcelona.
“I had authorization from the club. I was not the only player who left Madrid. We have to accept what people say and work to change the situation. I know I can reverse it,” he said.
The forward also assured that he is already physically recovered. “I feel good. It was a complicated leg injury and it hurt me not to play the classic. It’s a game that I really like to play,” he concluded.