Real Madrid’s hopes of challenging Barcelona in La Liga have taken another hit, with Kylian Mbappé managing just one win in April since returning from a recent injury. The French forward’s limited impact has coincided with a string of disappointing results for Los Blancos, including a 1-1 draw against Real Betis that left manager Álvaro Arbeloa fuming over refereeing decisions.
The situation has drawn scrutiny as Madrid sits behind Barcelona in the standings, with the Catalan club poised to extend their lead if they win their upcoming match against Getafe. Mbappé, who returned to action after missing several weeks with a muscle issue, has started four La Liga matches in April but has only contributed to one victory – a 2-0 win over Alavés earlier in the month.
Since that win, Madrid has drawn with Las Palmas, lost to Valencia, and settled for the Betis draw, leaving them vulnerable in the title race. Arbeloa’s frustration boiled over after the Sevilla match, where he accused referee César Soto Grado of overlooking two key incidents: a potential penalty for handball by Betis defender Ricardo Rodríguez on a Brahim Díaz shot, and a clear foul on Ferland Mendy during the buildup to Héctor Bellerín’s late equalizer.
“Para mí es muy clara. No hace falta mucho para, en situaciones así en las que estás usando el cuerpo, con que te desestabilicen un poco te vas al suelo. Pero para eso hay que entender un poco de fútbol, cosa que creo que tenemos un problema y mucha gente, sobre todo los que tienen que decidir este tipo de situaciones, no saben ni entienden,” Arbeloa said in his post-match press conference, directly challenging the officiating crew’s understanding of the game.
The Madrid coach also pointed to a “penalti clarísimo, con la mano abierta, que no está ni pegada al cuerpo, en un tiro de Brahim” that he believes should have been awarded, further fueling his argument that refereeing errors have cost his team crucial points.
These controversies have overshadowed Mbappé’s return, with the former PSG star struggling to replicate his pre-injury form. While he showed flashes of brilliance in the first half-hour against Betis, including a goal from Vinícius Júnior that was ultimately canceled out by Bellerín’s late strike, his overall influence has been limited.
The timing is particularly problematic as Madrid prepares for a congested schedule that includes Champions League semifinal second-leg action. With Arda Güler ruled out for the remainder of the season and Aurélien Tchouameni absent with a strain, squad depth has develop into a concern, potentially forcing key players to conserve energy for knockout competitions rather than risking further injury in league matches.
For Mbappé specifically, the April dip raises questions about his readiness to lead Madrid’s attack in high-stakes games. His single win in the month comes despite averaging over 80 minutes per appearance, suggesting that minutes alone haven’t translated to results.
Looking ahead, Madrid’s next confirmed fixture is their La Liga match against Getafe on Saturday, April 26, 2026 – the same day Barcelona aims to widen their lead. A win would provide temporary relief, but continued struggles could see the title race effectively decided before month’s end.
As the season enters its decisive phase, Madrid will need more than just sporadic brilliance from their star forward. Consistency, fitness, and perhaps most importantly, favorable officiating – according to Arbeloa’s assessment – will determine whether they can salvage their La Liga campaign or start planning for next season much earlier than anticipated.
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