According to a report by The Sun Nigeria on Friday, April 24, 2026, Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa has played down speculation surrounding star forward Kylian Mbappé after the French international liked a social media post linking former boss José Mourinho with a potential return to the Spanish club.
The online reaction sparked discussion among fans and pundits after Mbappé engaged with an Instagram post referencing Mourinho’s previous spell at Real Madrid and suggesting he could be a candidate to replace Arbeloa in the future. The post highlighted Mourinho’s record during his time in charge of the club between 2010 and 2013, a period in which he won major domestic honours.
According to reports, Mourinho—currently under contract with Benfica until 2027—has been mentioned among several high-profile coaches reportedly being considered for top managerial roles in European football. His agent, Jorge Mendes, is also said to have previously explored opportunities for the Portuguese manager to return to Madrid, where he previously enjoyed a successful but turbulent tenure.
Despite the speculation gaining traction online, Arbeloa dismissed any significance attached to Mbappé’s social media activity when asked about it by reporters.
“These are things I don’t even consider,” Arbeloa said. “It doesn’t bother me if he gives a like to Mourinho, Julia Roberts or anyone else. It has no importance.”
His comments reflect a relaxed stance on what many see as routine social media engagement, especially in an era where players frequently interact with posts without it necessarily indicating deeper intentions or internal club dynamics.
Mbappé, who remains one of the most closely watched figures at Real Madrid since his arrival, has not made any public comment on the matter. However, his online activity quickly drew attention due to the ongoing speculation surrounding managerial changes and long-term planning at the club.
Arbeloa, aged 43, has been under increasing scrutiny as Real Madrid continue to manage expectations both domestically and in European competitions. Nevertheless, he appears keen to keep focus on sporting performance rather than external narratives.
José Mourinho, widely regarded as one of football’s most successful and outspoken managers, previously led Real Madrid to significant domestic success during his three-year spell in charge, before departing in 2013.
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