Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa has urged Kylian Mbappé to demonstrate his “commitment” to the club as the season enters its final stretch, with three matches remaining.
The French forward has recently come under scrutiny from sections of the club’s fanbase, partly due to a reported trip to Sardinia during his recovery from a thigh injury.
Mbappé was absent in Real Madrid’s 4–0 El Clásico defeat to Barcelona on Sunday, a result that confirmed the Catalan side as La Liga champions once again and left Los Blancos without a trophy this season.
Speaking to reporters, Arbeloa said Mbappé could still play a role if fit and available. “If he’s there and can complete the training session and is available, then he’ll definitely get some minutes… and the chance in these three games to keep showing the commitment he has to the club,” he said.
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The coach added that he expects the forward to contribute strongly in the closing fixtures. He said he hopes the club’s top scorer will continue to feature, find the net, and “showing, as I’ve said, the commitment he has to Real Madrid and that, as a coach but above all as a Madridista, is what I’d like to see”.
Ahead of Thursday’s La Liga clash against already-relegated Real Oviedo, Arbeloa also defended the player’s professionalism, insisting he believes Mbappé has given his all for the team.
“All my players (have), I couldn’t think otherwise, I couldn’t believe that a Real Madrid player doesn’t give absolutely everything he has for the club, because then he wouldn’t know where he is,” said Arbeloa.
However, Mbappé is expected to face a mixed reception from supporters at the Santiago Bernabéu, with some fans likely to express their dissatisfaction during the match.