Is Mbappé’s season over? Arbeloa responds…
Nobody can make sense of Mbappé anymore. Not those close to him, not outsiders, not his defenders, and certainly not his critics. The Frenchman’s Instagram story—with the caption “Hala, Madrid”—posted while the team was losing 2-0 in the decisive Clásico that handed Barcelona the title, was a tasteless joke that even the club’s worst enemy couldn’t have scripted. It’s impossible to believe it was accidental, especially given the massive support network behind the player.
Mbappé has become a personal brand, an empire built on everything he generates. He’s been like this for years, so calling his actions “careless” would be overly generous. This week, the debate reignited: Is Real Madrid actually better with him on the pitch? The question has become far too persistent.
One point of agreement emerged: Vinícius never hides, as he proved with a brace against Espanyol.
Mbappé’s Instagram story (Image source: Instagram)
The fact that Mbappé left training five minutes early—the last session before the Clásico, the final meaningful match for a club paying him over €31 million a year—makes it clear that he makes his own decisions, regardless of the team. He was set to be benched for the Clásico. Despite the club’s efforts to shield him, that protection has now evaporated. The lack of attachment from his teammates is already evident.
Real Madrid is bewildered by a situation they helped create. The deification around the Golden Boot was a marketing moment, far from the measured approach of a club that had grown accustomed to success. The ceremony in the honor box and the poster in the club’s memory were an over-the-top celebration, as was the push to break a meaningless record like calendar-year goals.
Arbeloa: “I don’t know if he’ll play again”
Mbappé has put himself above Real Madrid with actions like this Clásico, where he didn’t even travel to Barcelona to show face. This is not an isolated gesture. The “overload” has been an excuse to protect himself ahead of the World Cup. But everything stems from a lack of boundaries in a team that now faces a difficult path to recovery, regardless of who coaches.
Tomás Roncero: “Mbappé, what are you laughing at?” (Source: El Chiringuito)
The relationship with Vinícius is poor, both on and off the pitch. The supposed newcomer behaves as a player with authority only to make his own decisions. His inaction during the conflict between Tchouaméni—his France teammate—and Valverde, coupled with a gesture Arbeloa called “out of context”—like leaving Valdebebas laughing—leaves him in a very delicate position.
Related news:
– Current LaLiga top scorer race: Mbappé might even lose the trophy; Ferran Torres close to podium
– Arbeloa unsure if Mbappé will play again, seals his future: “Our season is over”
– Disbelief and anger among Madrid fans over Mbappé’s post after Barça’s 2-0 lead
Mbappé’s every move is now scrutinized. The number of goals he scores no longer matters. Arbeloa’s response about his availability for the remaining three games was a careful, restrained attempt to convey that no one understands Kylian: “I don’t know. There are two weeks left. Depending on how his current discomfort evolves, we’ll see if he can play or not.” This illustrates the chaos in a dressing room where distrust has become a mantra.
