Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham have been left out of Alvaro Arbeloa’s first Real Madrid squad after the former defender named his group for an upcoming Copa del Rey tie.
Arbeloa, now in charge for the cup fixture, has opted to select five academy players as part of his plans, with several young talents drafted in to bolster the matchday group.
Mbappe and Bellingham are the standout omissions from the squad list, with the pair not included as Arbeloa prepares for his first assignment at the helm.
The decision means the focus shifts to the players who have been called upon, with the new boss giving opportunities to youth-team prospects as Madrid look to navigate the Copa del Rey test.
Real Madrid will head into the tie with Arbeloa in charge and a squad featuring five academy stars, while two of the club’s biggest names watch on from the outside.
