Article by Alexandru Tomuțiu – Published Friday, May 15, 2026, 9:11 p.m. / Updated Friday, May 15, 2026, 9:11 p.m.
Toni Kross (36), the former great midfielder from Real Madrid, publicly criticized Kylian Mbappe (27) for the conflict he had with coach Alvaro Arbeloa (43).
The Real Madrid tensions continue, and this time Kylian Mbappe is in the spotlight. The French superstar did not take well to coach Alvaro Arbeloa's decision to leave him on the bench in the 2-0 win over Real Oviedo, and his post-match comments caused quite a storm in Spain.
Mbappe revealed that he had been told he was only the fourth option in attack behind Mastantuono, Vinicius and Gonzalo. The club's response did not take long to appear. Arbeloa denied these claims, and now the legendary Toni Kroos has also intervened.
Toni Kroos criticizes Kylian Mbappe: “Such things are solved in the dressing room”
“Complaining publicly because you were left on the bench is not the way Real Madrid works. Such things are resolved in the dressing room, not in front of the cameras,” Kroos said, according to sportsport.ba.
The former Galacticos midfielder stressed that no player should be above the club, regardless of his name or status in world football.
“The coach chooses the team based on training, tactics and the opponent. The player's job is to accept the decision and prove on the pitch why he deserves a place in the team. You don't put pressure through the media. That doesn't show respect for the coach or the team,” added Kroos.
The Frenchman's words resonated strongly across Spain, with many seeing this as the first serious sign of tensions between Mbappe and the Real Madrid dressing room.
However, Kroos insisted that no one disputes the quality of the French star.
“Kylian is an incredible footballer, but at Real Madrid talent is not enough. Here you impose yourself through behaviour, continuity and attitude towards the club”, concluded the German.
“I wore this white shirt for ten years. I know exactly what this club wants. The coach picks the first eleven. He makes decisions based on what he sees in training, the tactics and the opponent,” added Kroos.
Kylian Mbappe and Alvaro Arbeloa are no longer on the same wavelength / Photo: Imago
It remains to be seen how Mbappe will react after this episode and whether the situation will leave deep traces in the dressing room of the royal club.
At Real Madrid and around the club, things don't seem to be going well, and many problems have come to the surface after the season was virtually lost. Madrid were left without a title, were knocked out of the Champions League prematurely by Bayern in the quarter-finals and once again had to watch their Barcelona rivals celebrate at Camp Nou.
A number of changes are being announced in the Spanish capital during the summer, with Jose Mourinho expected to take over the team.
