MADRID: Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe was whistled by fans at the Santiago Bernabeu in his team’s 2-0 win over Real Oviedo on Thursday in La Liga.

The Frenchman returned from a thigh injury as a substitute for Los Blancos, who will finish a second straight season without a major trophy after Barcelona were crowned league champions last week.

Madrid, without Mbappe, lost the Clasico at Camp Nou on Sunday to confirm Hansi Flick’s side as title winners.

Their top goalscorer Mbappe has come in for heavy criticism from the club’s fans in recent weeks for a perceived lack of commitment to the cause.

Gonzalo Garcia opened the scoring for second-place Real before half-time and Jude Bellingham added the second in a routine victory over relegated Oviedo at a stadium with thousands of empty seats.

“The whistles... that’s life, you can’t change the opinion of the people when they are angry,” Mbappe told reporters.

“It’s the life of a Real Madrid player and a famous player like me.

“Footballers don’t always have to understand, they have to accept and look forward and change the situation.”

Alvaro Arbeloa, whose future as Real coach is poised to come to an end with Jose Mourinho linked with a return to the Bernabeu bench, began with Mbappe and England international Bellingham on the bench.

Mbappe said he is now the fourth-choice forward.

“Im 100% fine. I haven’t played because for the coach Ive been the fourth striker in the squad behind (Franco) Mastantuono, Vini and Gonzalo,” he said.

“I was ready to start, its his decision and it always has to be respected.

“I have no problem at all with Arbeloa. You have to accept the coach’s philosophy and I have to do better to play ahead of Vini, Gonzalo and Mastantuono.”

Mbappe has faced criticism from fans for travelling to Sardinia while recovering from his injury, though he said the club had authorized the trip.

Arbeloa said there was no way he could start Mbappe after he missed the Barcelona match and dismissed the suggestion he had told the Frenchman he was fourth choice.

“I had a conversation with him before the game and I don’t know what he could have interpreted,” the Spaniard told reporters.

“For me it is very clear that a player who four days ago could not be on the bench (against Barcelona), today should not start. Especially because it’s not a final, it’s not a game of life or death.”

Elsewhere on Thursday, Girona drew 1-1 against Real Sociedad to climb up to 15th, still just one point above the relegation zone.

Mid-table sides Valencia and Rayo Vallecano also shared a 1-1 draw but are not completely safe from the spectre of relegation.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2026