Alvaro Arbeloa has described Kylian Mbappe as “the best player in the world” and compared him to former Real Madrid great Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mbappe scored a late second against Valencia last night, his 38th goal of another prolific season, to complete a 2-0 win for Arbeloa’s side as they moved back to within a point of La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Ronaldo’s record in one campaign at Madrid was 61 goals in 2014/15 when Arbeloa was a team-mate and the current Madrid boss says Mbappe could better that figure.
“Cristiano’s achievement was something extraterrestrial, impossible to match. But if anyone can, it is Kylian,” he said. “Right now he is the best player in the world for what he is demonstrating day after day and game after game.
“It seemed that no one could match Cristiano. Mbappé has a long way to go because Cristiano was here for many years, but he has the conditions to follow in his way and you never know if he will be able to overcome it.”
Mbappe’s team-mate Alvaro Carreras, who set Madrid on their way with the 65th-minute opener at Mestalla, was also in awe of the France striker.
“He is a beast, it is a privilege to be able to have him on our team,” he said.
Real Madrid veteran Carvajal out in the cold
It wasn’t a night without a major talking point for Madrid, though, with experienced right-back Dani Carvajal failing to make it on to the field.
The 34-year-old is fit again after a serious knee injury but appears to have dropped down to third choice.
Arbeloa selected David Jiménez, who earned a promotion from the club’s reserve side Castilla, to start last night and then replaced him with England international Trent Alexander-Arnold with 14 minutes to go.
Carvajal watched on from the bench but was spotted in an animated discussion with fitness coach Antonio Pintus after the game.
Asked about the situation, Arbeloa said: “David played well. What he contributed was great and is great news for the squad. And Trent, after a long time out, we are going to proceed cautiously.
“With Dani, I am seeing him better and better in training. I am not going to take risks. Inside the dressing room he is the first to speak before games and you always listen to him. It is important to have a reference like him in the dressing room.
“He will find his best level and his importance [to the team] will become more relevant.”
Madrid have a rare midweek off and aren’t in action until next Saturday when they host Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu.
