Real Madrid Coach Urges Mbappé to Demonstrate Commitment Ahead of Season Finale

On 13 May 2026, Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa publicly urged French striker Kylian Mbappé to show his commitment during the club’s final three La Liga matches. Arbeloa linked playing time to Mbappé’s availability and training participation.

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Mbappé is recovering from a thigh injury and travelled to Sardinia, drawing fan criticism. He missed the Clasico loss to Barcelona, which secured the title and left Real Madrid trophy-less.

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• Alvaro Arbeloa – Real Madrid coach, former Spanish defender.

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• Kylian Mbappé – French forward, Real Madrid’s top scorer this season.

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• Real Madrid fans – vocal critics of Mbappé’s holiday.

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• Barcelona – La Liga champions.

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• Real Oviedo – relegated club scheduled as the next opponent.

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• Early May 2026: Mbappé sustains thigh injury.

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• Mid-May 2026: Travels to Sardinia while injured.

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• 12 May 2026: Barcelona defeats Real Madrid in Clasico, clinching the title.

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• 13 May 2026: Arbeloa issues statements urging Mbappé’s commitment.

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• 16 May 2026 (Thursday): Real Madrid faces Real Oviedo; two further fixtures follow.

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• Mbappé is Real Madrid’s leading goal-scorer for the season, according to Arbeloa.

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• Real Madrid concluded the campaign without any silverware.

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• Barcelona secured a second consecutive La Liga championship.

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• Real Oviedo is a relegated side.

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Arbeloa said that if Mbappé is present, completes training, and is available, he will receive minutes in the remaining games and is expected to keep scoring. He added that Mbappé has given “100 per cent” ahead of the Oviedo match and warned that a player who does not give everything would not know his place.

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Supporters have questioned Mbappé’s decision to holiday in Sardinia during recovery and anticipate possible whistles at the Santiago Bernabeu. The criticism reflects broader fan concerns about player dedication.

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Mbappé’s involvement could influence Real Madrid’s performance in the season’s closing fixtures, affect his relationship with the fan base, and inform future squad planning as the club evaluates player commitment alongside on-field contributions.

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• “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,” — Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid coach

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• “scoring goals, 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” — Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid coach

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• “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,” — Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid coach

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Real Madrid will play Real Oviedo on Thursday, followed by two additional league matches. Arbeloa’s assessment of Mbappé’s fitness and commitment will be closely monitored as the season concludes.

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