Mbappe Misses Training as Arbeloa Takes Over at Real Madrid

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe was notably absent during the first training session under new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa on Tuesday. Arbeloa officially replaced Xabi Alonso as the manager of the Spanish giants, taking over the reins in what is seen as a transitional phase for the club.

Arbeloa, who was officially appointed on Monday, will lead Real Madrid for the first time in their upcoming Copa del Rey clash against Albacete on Wednesday. French superstar Mbappe is expected to miss the game, as he continues his recovery from a recent knee sprain.

Mbappe had made his comeback as a late substitute during Real Madrid’s defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final over the weekend. Despite this brief appearance, the club’s medical team prefers that the forward continues focused rehabilitation until at least the Champions League fixture against his former club, Monaco, scheduled for next Tuesday.

A source within Real Madrid told AFP that Mbappe’s absence from training was completely “logical” given the lingering knee concerns. The club appears to be prioritizing his long-term fitness over short-term appearances, ensuring their top scorer is fully prepared for upcoming critical matches.

Former coach Xabi Alonso, who was in charge for less than eight months, acknowledged that involving Mbappe in the Super Cup was a calculated risk. Alonso had publicly recognized the challenge of balancing the French forward’s recovery with competitive demands.

In a farewell message shared on social media, Alonso expressed his gratitude and reflected on his brief tenure:

“Things didn’t go as I would have liked,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Coaching Real Madrid was both an honour and a tremendous responsibility. I am deeply grateful to the club, the players, and most importantly, the fans for their unwavering confidence and support.”

He continued:
“I leave with respect, gratitude, and pride, knowing that I did my best under the circumstances.”

With Arbeloa stepping into his first official coaching role at Real Madrid, all eyes will now be on how he manages the squad without Mbappe and prepares the team for both domestic and European competitions. Fans and analysts alike are keen to observe whether Arbeloa’s appointment will inject fresh energy into the squad and how quickly he can implement his tactical philosophy.