Alvaro Arbeloa is confident that Kylian Mbappe gives Real Madrid 100%, but he also gave a small warning to the French star.
Mbappe has faced strong criticism in recent weeks, particularly for his decision to go on holiday with his girlfriend rather than stay in the Spanish capital and continue his recovery from a hamstring injury against Real Betis on April 24.
The former PSG striker missed the match at Espanyol on May 3 and last Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Barcelona, a result that saw arch-rivals Madrid win the Liga title.
More than 73 million Madrid fans have signed a petition calling for Mbappe to be sold after questioning his commitment to the club, especially with the World Cup coming up, but Arbeloa is adamant the 27-year-old is giving 100%.
“Yes, I wouldn’t have thought differently,” he said, but the Madrid coach was quick to highlight the importance of playing for a club like Real Madrid.
“This club is ready for all of us,” he said. “We know what it’s like to be outside Madrid, my players have to be aware of this. They will be remembered for the rest of their lives by playing in Madrid. Madrid marks a lot, it gives you a lot of things. Madrid does more for us than anyone else in the team.”
Real Madrid hope that Mbappe will return to face Oviedo
Madrid will host already relegated Oviedo tomorrow night in what is expected to be a bitter affair given the club’s trophyless season and the squabbles in the dressing room and dining room, the latest issue highlighted in a strange press conference given by president Florentino Perez yesterday evening.
Arbeloa would not commit to Mbappe returning for this week’s game, adding: “Let’s see if he can finish training today, he did yesterday, if he finishes, he will have minutes to show his commitment to the team.”
Arbeloa is likely to leave Madrid at the end of the season with Jose Mourinho ready to return for a second spell.
Asked by the Portuguese, Arbeloa replied: “I understand the questions, but respect my decision to think about this game. When the league is over, I will be able to answer it. Now it’s time to think about Oviedo.”
Arbeloa defends the way to protect Real Madrid players
He also admitted that he understands the doubts about his future but insisted that he has not lost control of a dressing room that seems to be plagued by troubled relationships.
There were reports of Antonio Rudiger clashing with Alvaro Carreras while, last week, Federico Valverde was hospitalized after an altercation with midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
When asked why he doesn’t criticize the players in front of people, Arbeloa said: “I understand being criticized for the decisions I make, sometimes I say what I think and sometimes I say the right thing, but that’s the way I work with the players, I did the same in the reserve team, the coach must be a shield for his players.
“When I’m with them I say things that I wouldn’t say here, always with respect, I wanted to challenge them, give them my opinion on what they need to improve, what we did well, what we did wrong. I wouldn’t change the way I defended my players here.”
Long-serving defender Dani Carvajal could return tomorrow after being left out of Spain’s World Cup starting squad.
“I haven’t talked to him about the pre-list, but it’s a shame that I would always have him in my team,” said Arbeloa. You have to respect the opinions of other coaches, but it is a shame that he does not protect the National Team. Yesterday he rejoined the group, and I understand that he may be available [for the Oviedo game].”
