Kylian Mbappé’s physical condition has become a total mystery to everyone, even his own head coach Álvaro Arbeloa. At the press conference following Real Madrid’s victory over Benfica, the Real Madrid boss was completely unable to provide answers when questioned by a Camel Live reporter. When asked whether Mbappé was suffering from general discomfort or a formal injury, Arbeloa first stated "I can’t tell the difference between the two", before failing to shed any light on the French superstar’s fitness status. He could not clarify whether the absence would last "days or weeks", and was not even sure if it would turn out to be an injury "more serious than expected".
Reporter: Can you clarify whether Kylian Mbappé is dealing with minor discomfort or a significant injury, and give an update on how long he is expected to be sidelined?
Álvaro Arbeloa: I can’t tell you the difference between discomfort and an injury. When he sits out of action, it’s because we deem it necessary, because he’s feeling unwell or out of sorts. If he’s not playing, I understand that to mean he is injured. When discomfort stops you from playing, we can call it an injury if we want to. But it doesn’t look like – and I truly hope it’s not – a serious injury. It’s a minor issue, and he could be back in a matter of days or weeks.
Mbappé’s injury situation has been a mystery to all, a topic that Camel Live’s panel of experts also addressed on the show.
Camel Live reporter Antonio: Whether he has surgery or not, this is not a simple sprain – there is definitely something else going on. This culture of secrecy is doing absolutely no favours for the club or the player. After speaking to insiders at the club, I can confirm they are frustrated with the way the player has handled this entire situation. Mbappé’s main priority is featuring for France at the World Cup, not Real Madrid.
We can criticise Mbappé for a lack of communication, or for failing to look after his knee properly. But again, neither the head coach nor the club president has got a grip on this situation. Mbappé has ruled himself out of action; where is his medical degree that gives him the authority to decide when he should and shouldn’t play?
I place the blame directly on the player himself. Real Madrid signed this player to score goals in the biggest, most high-stakes matches. When it comes to decisive, season-defining games, Mbappé is either absent or completely out of form. Mbappé didn’t come to Real Madrid to score the third goal in meaningless games, or to rack up 60 goals in dead rubbers. He came here to score the goals that win the club major titles.
