French international Kylian Mbappe was conspicuously absent from training on Tuesday as newly appointed Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa oversaw his first session with the Spanish giants, one day after taking over from Xabi Alonso.
Arbeloa, who was confirmed in the role on Monday, faces an immediate baptism of fire with a Copa del Rey fixture against Albacete scheduled for Wednesday evening. However, the former Real Madrid defender is expected to be without his star forward for the cup tie.
Mbappe’s absence from the training ground comes as the 26-year-old continues his rehabilitation from a knee sprain that has disrupted his integration at the Santiago Bernabéu since his high-profile summer transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. The striker made a brief return to action over the weekend, appearing as a late substitute in Real Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
A source within the club, speaking to AFP, described Mbappe’s non-participation in Tuesday’s session as “logical” given the ongoing management of his knee complaint. The injury has required careful handling since it first occurred, and medical staff are understood to be taking a cautious approach to ensure the France captain regains full fitness without setbacks.
Rather than risking further aggravation in a relatively lower-priority domestic cup match, the club’s medical team and coaching staff have reportedly mapped out a phased return that targets next Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash against AS Monaco as a more appropriate occasion for Mbappe to feature more substantially. The fixture carries added significance as it will see the forward face his former club, where he began his professional career and established himself as one of world football’s most electrifying talents before his move to the French capital in 2017.
Outgoing coach Alonso had acknowledged the calculated nature of involving Mbappe in Sunday’s Super Cup showpiece, despite the player not being fully match-fit. The decision to bring the striker off the bench reflected both the importance of the final and Madrid’s top goalscorer’s eagerness to contribute, even as medical considerations suggested a more conservative approach might have been prudent.
Alonso’s departure marks an abrupt end to what has been a turbulent and ultimately unsuccessful tenure at one of football’s most demanding institutions. The Basque tactician, who enjoyed a distinguished playing career at Real Madrid and later built a growing reputation as a progressive coach at Bayer Leverkusen, lasted less than eight months in the role before the club moved to replace him.
On Tuesday, Alonso broke his silence following the announcement of his dismissal, posting a reflective message on Instagram in which he acknowledged that his time at the Bernabéu had not met expectations.
“Things didn’t go as I would have liked,” Alonso wrote. “Coaching Real Madrid was an honour and a responsibility. I’m grateful to the club, the players and above all, the fans for their confidence and support. I leave respectfully, with gratitude, and the pride of having done the best I could.”
The 43-year-old’s departure comes amid mounting pressure on Real Madrid following a season that has failed to live up to the lofty standards expected at the club. Despite assembling a squad featuring world-class talent including Mbappe, Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and veterans such as Luka Modrić, Madrid have struggled for consistency in both domestic and European competitions.
Sunday’s Super Cup final loss to arch-rivals Barcelona served as the final straw for the club’s hierarchy, who moved swiftly to install Arbeloa as Alonso’s successor. The appointment represents something of a homecoming for the 42-year-old Arbeloa, who made over 230 appearances for Real Madrid as a player between 2009 and 2016, winning multiple La Liga titles, Copa del Rey trophies, and two Champions League crowns during that period.
Arbeloa brings with him experience from coaching Real Madrid’s youth teams and a deep understanding of the club’s culture and expectations. However, he inherits a squad that appears to be underperforming relative to its talent level, and faces the considerable challenge of quickly implementing his ideas while managing the egos and expectations of a dressing room filled with global superstars.
The timing of the coaching change, mid-season and with crucial fixtures looming in both domestic and European competitions, adds further complexity to Arbeloa’s task. His handling of Mbappe’s fitness and reintegration will be closely scrutinized, particularly given the substantial investment Madrid made to secure the forward’s services.
