Mbappe says Real Madrid boss Arbeloa told him he was the 'fourth striker'

[p]The Frenchman, who ‌missed Sunday's 2-0 defeat by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a] and ‌was booed by his own fans on his return ‌from a hamstring injury, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/oviedo-SzYzw34K/real-madrid-W8mj7MDD/?mid=r95TigCr"]came off the bench ‌in the 68th minute[/a] after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/arbeloa-alvaro/CO9bjrLo/"]Arbeloa[/a] opted to play [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/vinicius-junior/CbwQ4Mws/"]Vinicius Junior[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/garcia-gonzalo/pWxyEyDA/"]Gonzalo Garcia[/a] in attack.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mbappe-kylian/Wn6E2SED/"]Mbappe[/a] told reporters fitness ‌was not an issue.[/p][p]"[b]I’m 100% fine. ⁠I haven’t played ‌because for the coach I’ve been the fourth striker in ​the squad behind ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bonar-javier/CAvwpzCL/"]Franco[/a]) [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mastantuono-franco/tpBPaidM/"]Mastantuono[/a], Vini and Gonzalo[/b]," he said.[/p][p]"[b]I was ready to start, it’s ​his decision and it always has to be respected.[/b][/p][p]"[b]I have no problem at all with Arbeloa. You ⁠have to accept ​the coach's philosophy and I have to do better to play ahead of Vini, Gonzalo and Mastantuono.[/b]"[/p][embed guid="4fbf8be8-3069-4694-b27a-6fe91e96409c" url="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2055053890911977942?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Mbappe has faced criticism from fans for travelling to ‌Sardinia while recovering from his injury, though he said the club had authorized the trip.[/p][p]Arbeloa said there was no way he could start Mbappe after he missed the Barcelona match and dismissed the suggestion he had told the Frenchman he was fourth choice.[/p][p]"[b]I had a conversation with him before the game and I don't know what he ‌could have interpreted,[/b]" the Spaniard told reporters.[/p][p]"[b]For me ​it is very clear that a player who ‌four days ago could not be on the bench (against Barcelona), today should not start. Especially because it's not a final, it's not a game of life or death.[/b]"[/p][p]Arbeloa added that Mbappe ⁠would start Real's ⁠next match at Sevilla ‌on Sunday.[/p]