Mbappe’s ‘fourth choice’ comment raises Real Madrid tensions, as Mourinho talks progress

AlavésAthletic ClubAtlético MadridBarcelonaCelta de VigoElcheEspanyolGetafeGironaLevanteMallorcaOsasunaRayo VallecanoReal BetisReal MadridReal OviedoReal SociedadSevillaValenciaVillarrealPodcastsCopa del ReyMbappe’s ‘fourth choice’ comment raises Real Madrid tensions, as Mourinho talks progressMbappe was named on the bench for Thursday's 2-0 win over Real Oviedo (Oscar Del Pozo/AFP via Getty Images) Share articleWelcome to the latest edition of Inside Real Madrid, our weekly series to follow throughout La Liga’s 2025-26 season. Each week, we will bring you key information and analysis on the biggest talking points, cutting through the noisy world of all things Madridista with reporting you can trust. The information contained in this article reflects multiple conversations with various sources at Madrid, all of whom spoke anonymously to protect relationships. Kylian Mbappe and Alvaro Arbeloa were at the centre of one of the most talked-about moments after Thursday’s 2-0 win against already-relegated Real Oviedo. They were involved in an indirect public exchange that felt more like something you might expect from a pair of rivals — and Mbappe’s words have caused annoyance among Madrid’s staff. The 27-year-old France striker was left out of the starting XI but came on in the 69th-minute. He stopped to speak with reporters on his way out of the stadium after the game — an unusual occurrence. “I’m doing great, 100 per cent,” he said when asked whether he was fit to start. “I didn’t play because the coach told me that, for him, I’m the fourth striker of the team, behind Mastantuono, Vini, and Gonzalo. I accept that. I can’t be mad at him.” Soon after, Arbeloa began his press conference. The first six questions were about Mbappe’s comments — which he had not heard — and their relationship. “He must have misunderstood me, at no point did I say he was the fourth-choice striker,” Arbeloa said. “A player who four days ago wasn’t even fit enough to make the bench for a match shouldn’t have started today,” he added, referring to Mbappe’s absence from Sunday’s Clasico defeat. Mbappe was not included in the squad for that game at Barcelona due to injury but — as The Athletic reported earlier this week — there was discontent within the club at various levels, including among Arbeloa and his staff, over the striker’s conduct in the build-up. Sources said Mbappe had not been deemed fit to train until the day before the match. Then, when he was placed in a group among the planned substitutes, he pulled out of the session with discomfort. Mbappe’s representatives declined to comment on the situation. According to a source with knowledge of the matter, Arbeloa and Mbappe spoke on Thursday before the Oviedo game, with the player expressing his displeasure at being benched and the manager expressing his own displeasure regarding his behaviour in recent weeks. Mbappe had also attracted internal criticism over a decision to take a trip to Italy with his partner while he was recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered at Real Betis on April 24 — his most recent appearance for Madrid before Thursday night, when he also said the club had given him permission for that break. These are truly extraordinary times at Real Madrid. The team are stumbling to a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy, something which had not happened since 2009-10, after an incredibly dramatic season that has included several scarcely believable flashpoints — such as last week’s dressing-room fight between midfield duo Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde — during which the latter was knocked unconscious and taken to hospital. On Tuesday, president Florentino Perez announced a snap election. The atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu was the image of Madrid’s difficult season. There were 62,774 spectators, the second-lowest attendance this term. Jeers and whistles were directed toward the players and Perez. Two banners criticising the president and calling on him to leave were quickly removed by stadium security. Mbappe received the loudest boos. Spanish TV showed his mother and agent Fayza Lamari reacting to the jeers with laughter in the stands. Unlike at Barcelona, Madrid’s statutes do not require Perez to stand down from his position while an election is prepared. For that reason, there is no technical reason stopping the club from continuing with key business off the pitch. The Athletic reported last week that talks have been held with Jose Mourinho’s representatives over replacing Arbeloa as manager. The Portuguese 63-year-old, who led Madrid from 2010-13, is Perez’s favoured candidate for the role and this is the only option being actively pursued — despite the fact other voices within the club were not entirely convinced. Through his agent Jorge Mendes, the Benfica coach has outlined his ideas to Madrid. Among them, according to a source familiar with the matter, is bringing in several members of his own staff. Another source said he asked for defensive reinforcements. Benfica are keen to extend Mourinho’s contract and on Friday morning the manager confirmed his agent had received a renewal offer but said he “did not want to see or analyse it” until Sunday, after the team’s final game of the season. Mourinho’s deal in Lisbon runs until 2027, but it has a €3million (£2.6m; $3.5m) release clause that can be activated within 10 days of the end of their season. Third-placed Benfica play at Estoril Praia on Saturday, with city rivals Sporting CP two points ahead in second, which comes with a spot in next season’s Champions League. This means the exit clause can be triggered before May 26. On Thursday, Madrid clarified the process for this year’s election. The club said candidates had until May 23 to declare their intention to stand. If no rival candidate comes forward to rival Perez, he will be re-elected president on May 24. Sources close to Vinicius Junior said Mourinho’s potential arrival would not be seen as a problem by the player. Mourinho attracted widespread criticism for his comments after Vinicius Jr alleged he was racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni in a Champions League match in Lisbon on February 17. After the game, Mourinho suggested Vinicius Jr had incited the incident. Prestianni, who denied the allegation, was eventually given a six-match suspension by UEFA for homophobic, rather than racist, conduct. Meanwhile, in an interview with Spanish TV station La Sexta on Wednesday evening, Perez confirmed — as previously reported by The Athletic — that talks over the renewal of the Brazilian’s contract, which expires in June 2027, are stalled. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms