Arbeloa questions Mbappe motivation: ‘I want players who want to be Real Madrid players every day’

Alvaro Arebloa took a swipe at Kylian Mbappe and the rest of the Real Madrid squad this morning by questioning their mentality against lesser sides and reserving their best for the Champions League.

Madrid played well against Bayern Munich in midweek with Mbappe looking back to his sparkling best after a period of injury and indifferent form. However, the France captain was repeatedly denied by Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer who rolled back the years with a vintage display that helped the Bundesliga leaders establish a 2-1 first-leg advantage.

The performance was in stark contrast to the sloppy display produced at Real Mallorca on Saturday with Madrid falling to a defeat that put a major dent in their hopes of challenging Barcelona for the league title.

It was the latest in a series of domestic setbacks that have stunted momentum, following on from defeats to Osasuna and Getafe.

Speaking after the Bayern game, Arbeloa said he wanted Mbappe to be like that in every game. He was asked to elaborate on that point this morning and said: “Not only Mbappé, I want players who want to be Real Madrid players every day. It is important to want to be yourself beyond talent and quality. Every day you can’t play a Champions League quarter-final and games with great motivation, that’s where self-demand comes from. It goes beyond the talent he has. 

“We want them to feel that tomorrow when they play against Girona, they have to shine. We need that. That they are themselves every day and are willing to give their best. It’s not easy, but we need that. May their motivation be to give the best of themselves.”

Real Madrid players, including Mbappe, are giving their best, says Arbeloa

Arbeloa backtracked slightly when asked if he felt certain players were lacking desire.

He said: “No, no, not at all. It is important to want to go out to have a great attitude, a great commitment. The talent is there and it’s wonderful. But to win games, it is not enough to have talent. From time to time yes, but if we want to be consistent, we need more than talent.”

The two successive defeats – the setback at Mallorca left Madrid seven points behind La Liga leaders Barca and facing up to a trophyless season – means everyone is desperate to put it right against Girona, according to Arbeloa.

“They are the first that want to play,” he said. “More than me. Any Madrid player when they don’t win and something like that happens to you, you want to play the next day. I have talked to them and they are willing, available and eager to give a great game to the fans and ourselves.”

Bellingham and Militao to start for Real Madrid tomorrow

Arbeloa confirmed Jude Bellingham and Eder Militao will start tomorrow night and hailed the latter’s importance to the squad.

“When he’s fit, he’s probably the best centre-half in the world,” he said. “Physically he is a dominant player, in the one on ones, he defends a lot of space in the open field, he has a very powerful aerial game, a great passing game. His mentality, character, the commanding voice…

“The importance for the group is beyond doubt. It’s a privilege to have a player like that.”