Real Madrid have confirmed that Kylian Mbappé will miss Wednesday’s crucial UEFA Champions League second-leg against SL Benfica at the Santiago Bernabéu due to a recurring knee injury that has hampered him for weeks. The French star, who leads this season’s Champions League scoring charts with 13 goals, was unable to complete training before the match, prompting medical staff to withdraw him from the squad to avoid further damage.
Mbappé’s discomfort stems from a persistent issue in the outside ligaments of his left knee, first reported back in December and aggravated over time as he played through the pain in La Liga matches. The problem resurfaced in training ahead of the Benfica fixture, forcing him out of action at a pivotal moment in Real’s European campaign.
Despite earlier public optimism from boss Álvaro Arbeloa that Mbappé was “prepared to play,” the decision was made late on Tuesday to rest the forward after medical evaluations showed he could not compete without risk.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Madrid, who currently hold a slender 1-0 aggregate lead from the first leg in Lisbon. Mbappé’s absence places added pressure on the squad’s attacking depth, with younger forwards expected to step up in his place.
Longer-term availability remains unclear. With the La Liga clash against Getafe CF also looming and the 2026 World Cup less than six months away, Real Madrid are taking a cautious approach rather than risking a more serious setback.
The decision underscores an ongoing concern about managing Mbappé’s fitness as the season reaches its most decisive stages, balancing club ambitions with safeguarding one of world football’s brightest stars.
