Kylian Mbappé a major doubt for Benfica return as rest considered | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappé is a major doubt for Real Madrid’s Champions League play-off second leg at home to Benfica on Wednesday at 21:00, and the club are weighing up resting him, according to L'Équipe.

The France captain is still troubled by his left knee, and there is now broad acceptance within Madrid that it would probably be wiser to spare him. Even so, after training at midday, Alvaro Arbeloa leaned towards delaying the call by a day so their leading scorer could face the Lisbon side.

Arbeloa said Mbappé is ready to play and highlighted his commitment to team-mates, coach, club and supporters. He stressed the forward’s ability to decide any moment and added that Madrid would need him on Wednesday, saying he expected a big performance.

There is concern that pushing him too far could backfire. The club risk losing his physical edge, and the player risks his health and targets.

Chief among those is the World Cup, scheduled from 11 June to 19 July in Canada, the United States and Mexico, which he places above everything else.

Whether or not he features against Benfica, he should be rested for at least the next 10 days, including the home game with Getafe on two March and the trip to Vigo on seven March in La Liga.

Source: L'Équipe