Mbappe vs Arbeloa: Real Madrid forward accuses manager of calling him 'fourth-choice'

Things are going downhill at Real Madrid. After reports of fights between players, star forward Kylian Mbappe and manager Alvaro Arbeloa now found themselves engaged in a public verbal battle.

The incident took place on Thursday as Mbappe made his return to the Real Madrid team after a hamstring injury. Mbappe played the La Liga home match against Real Oviedo on Thursday as a substitute, but his entry became controversial as the entire Bernabéu crowd welcomed him with a chorus of boos and whistles.

Madrid fans have been unhappy with French forward Mbappe, with many believing that he is the main reason behind a divided dressing room. Mbappe's absence from Sunday's 2-0 El Clásico defeat by Barcelona has also not gone down well with the fans.

Mbappe vs Arebola after Madrid beat Oviedo 

But the real explosion happened after the game as Mbappe claimed that he was put on the bench by Arbeloa because he is the "fourth-choice forward" for the team.

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"I'm well, I'm 100%," Mbappe told reporters after the game. "I didn't play because the coach [Arbeloa] told me I'm the fourth-choice forward in the squad behind [Franco] Mastantuono, Vinícius [Júnior] and Gonzalo. I accept it and play the time I'm given. I think I played well.

"I was ready to start. I'm not angry with the manager. You always have to respect a coach's decision. I'll work hard to get back into the starting lineup."

Arbeloa was quick to shoot down the suggestions that he said anything like Mbappe being the fourth-choice in his position. Arbeloa added that Mbappe must have misunderstood his instructions.

"I wish I had four forwards," Arbeloa said. "I don't have four forwards, and I certainly didn't say anything like that to Mbappe. Perhaps he didn't understand me. I don't know what else to tell you. At no point could I tell him that he's the fourth-choice forward.

"I'm the coach, and I'm the one who decides who plays and who doesn't. I had a conversation with him before the match. I don't know how he might have interpreted it. A player who wasn't on the bench four days ago shouldn't start today. It's not a final, it's not a do-or-die situation. ... That's all. I don't have any problem with anyone."

Real Madrid fans are also angry with Mbappe because he was pictured holidaying while recovering from the injury, and an online petition to have him removed from the team has already garnered millions of signatures.