Mbappé ruled out of Benfica tie as knee troubles persist | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappé will not play tonight’s Champions League last 32 second leg against Benfica at the Santiago Bernabéu, the forward is out due to left-knee discomfort. He has been omitted from Real Madrid’s squad, which was not published until midday by head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

According to L'Equipe, he cut short morning training due to persistent pain in his left knee. The report added that afternoon tests showed the joint was far from recovered and some at the club believed playing him was impossible, with no timeline set and treatment deemed essential.

His absence comes in another pivotal fixture this season, several of which he has already missed, with those occasions aligning with defeats to Atlético at the Metropolitano, Manchester City at the Bernabéu, Barcelona in the Supercopa final and a Copa exit at Albacete. Madrid hold a one-goal advantage from the first leg.

An MRI on 31 December 2025 revealed an external collateral ligament tear suffered against Celta on 7 December. He was projected to need three weeks, but returned after 11 days, played 14 minutes in the 11 January Supercopa final that Madrid lost 3-2 to Barcelona, and since Arbeloa took over he has largely played full matches, aside from a rest on 14 February against Real Sociedad.

There is concern in France about the national team captain with a World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer. He is expected to rest for the next 10 days, missing Getafe on 2 March at the Bernabéu and the trip to Vigo on 7 March, aiming to be available for the Champions League last 16 if Madrid progress. France will tour the United States from 23 to 30 March, and Mbappé will take part whether or not he is fit.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo