Mbappé Left Out of Starting Lineup: Coach’s Decision Sparks Debate. A heated discussion erupted in Madrid after Mbappé was omitted from the starting lineup against Real Oviedo. The player explained that the coach sees him as the fourth forward. The decision has raised questions about internal competition and the fans’ reaction.
In Madrid, discussions are underway about the coaching staff’s unexpected decision not to include Mbappé in the starting lineup for the match against Real Oviedo, which ended in a 2–0 home victory. After the game, the forward stated that the coach had designated him as the team's fourth striker, which is why he only appeared on the field in the second half. This statement sparked a wave of debate among fans and experts and cast doubt on his current status at the club.
Mbappé emphasized that he was ready to start from the first minute, but the decision was made solely by the coach. According to him, there was no conflict with Arbeloa, but he has to accept the coach’s choice and work on outperforming Vini, Mastantuono, and Gonzalo in the competition for a place in the starting eleven. The player also noted that his trip to Italy was coordinated with the club and that he was not the only one absent from Madrid during that period.
The reaction of the fans at the Santiago Bernabéu was mixed; some greeted Mbappé with whistles. The player himself admitted that such a reaction is unpleasant but considers it part of football life. In a conversation with journalists, he added that he has no physical issues and intends to keep fighting for a place in the starting lineup. In his assessment, the team started the season well but lost ground in the second half, which was a painful blow for everyone.
Separately, Mbappé commented on his relationship with Xabi Alonso, emphasizing that they maintain a professional working contact and the team must look ahead. He also denied rumors of disagreements with Arbeloa and said he did not follow the coach’s latest press conference. Questions about a possible conflict with Valverde and Tchouameni remained unanswered: Mbappé stated that he was not a witness to the situation and could not comment. Among other things, he spoke about the condition of his knee and regular communication with the club regarding his health.
Ahead of his third World Cup, Mbappé noted that he feels both excitement and pressure, but remains focused on victory and committed to the national team's objectives. In Spanish football, similar personnel decisions and internal competition often become topics of public discussion, as was the case with the hype around tickets for the semifinal between Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli in Dubai, when fan interest in team line-ups reached a record high — more details about this case were previously published on russpain.com.
