Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has claimed that coach Alvaro Arbeloa told him he was the "fourth forward" in the squad before benching him against Real Oviedo.

The France captain returned from a thigh injury in a 2-0 win over Oviedo on Thursday, but his appearance as a 69th-minute substitute was met with whistles from Madrid's own disgruntled fans at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid supporters have criticized their top scorer in recent weeks for a perceived lack of commitment, with Mbappe not fit to play in the Clasico last weekend where Barcelona beat Madrid to clinch the Spanish title.

Arbeloa started with Vinicius Junior, Franco Mastantuono and Gonzalo Garcia in attack against Oviedo, with Mbappe having not played for almost three weeks. "I am very good, at 100 percent, I didn't play because the coach told me that for him I'm the fourth forward of the squad, behind Mastantuono, Vinicius and Gonzalo," Mbappe told reporters after the game.

The forward earned an assist with a pass to Jude Bellingham, also a substitute, for Madrid's second goal. Mbappe said he accepted the bench role. Fans were unhappy about Mbappe traveling to Sardinia on holiday while recovering from his injury, but he insisted he had the club's permission.

Madrid coach Arbeloa said in his post-match press conference that he had not told Mbappe he had dropped down the pecking order, suggesting the player may have misunderstood. "I can perfectly understand that Kylian Mbappe isn't happy today about not playing, but it's a decision based on the circumstances," added the coach.

Madrid's season has been extremely troubled, with coach Xabi Alonso replaced by Arbeloa in January. With Barcelona having sealed the La Liga title, Los Blancos will finish a second consecutive year without a major trophy, and President Florentino Perez has called for an election.

Source: www.aljazeera.com