Real Madrid: Mbappé and Rodrygo absent for Arbeloa's debut

Real Madrid: Are Mbappé and Rodrygo boycotting Arbeloa?

Real Madrid: Mbappé and Rodrygo absent for Arbeloa's debut

The departure of Xabi Alonso from the Real Madrid bench continues to spark questions and speculation. Was it a disguised sacking or a mutual agreement? The exact circumstances of his exit from Madrid remain shrouded in mystery. Regardless, the club moved quickly, officially appointing a familiar face from the Madridista family to oversee the transition.

A former teammate of Alonso in the Merengue shirt, Álvaro Arbeloa has been propelled to head coach. But for his first training session at the helm, two notable absences drew attention: Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo were missing from the pitch, with no official explanation at this stage, according to several Spanish sources.

Time is already of the essence. Arbeloa's Real Madrid will play its first match tomorrow, away at Albacete, in the Copa del Rey. It's a baptism by fire, with every detail under the microscope.