Fourth Striker? What Real Madrid's Manager Told Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid fans made their discontentment known Thursday by jeering Kylian Mbappe at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium before a 2-0 win over already relegated Oviedo.

Kylian Mbappe spoke to the media after entering as a substitute following an injury layoff and was booed by many in the crowd.

"I think that’s life, we can’t change people’s opinion when they’re angry. It’s a way for them to talk, to express themselves, and I think you shouldn’t take it personally," Mbappe said. It’s the life of a Real Madrid player and the life of a famous player like me."

Perhaps the most jarring revelation of the evening wasn't the boos, but Mbappé’s current standing in the locker room. 

Despite providing the assist for Jude Bellingham’s 79th-minute goal to seal the win, the superstar finds himself in an unfamiliar position on the depth chart.

"Today I didn’t play because the coach told me that, for him, I’m the fourth striker in the squad behind Mastantuono, Vini (Vinícius Júnior) and Gonzalo (Garcia). In the end, I accept it and I play the time I get. We played well, I gave Jude an assist and I’m positive."

The frustration from the stands seemed to stem from Mbappé's absence during the Clásico, a match Madrid desperately needed. Addressing the crowd's reaction to his time away, Mbappé was blunt about the medical reality and the public's perception.

"It was a pretty damn bad injury in my leg. It was a shame for me not to be able to play in the Clásico. It’s a match I love playing in, I always score against Barcelona, so it was a shame not to help the team. 

When pressed on why the fans remained vitriolic regarding his recent time off, he remained firm:

"I had the club’s permission. I didn’t understand what people were saying. But you have