Kylian Mbappé out of Real Madrid’s Benfica Champions League play-off second leg | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappé will miss Real Madrid’s Champions League play-off second leg against Benfica after cutting short training on Tuesday with ongoing pain in his left knee. Madrid won the first leg 1-0 in Lisbon.

According to L'Équipe, tests on Tuesday afternoon indicated the knee has not healed, and senior figures at the club privately accepted it was impossible to select him. No timeline has been set for his return, with a treatment protocol now considered essential.

At midday, Alvaro Arbeloa had insisted Mbappé was ready to play, highlighting his commitment to team, coach, club and supporters. He expressed certainty they would need him on Wednesday and that he would produce a major performance.

Arbeloa had hoped to lean on him once more before resting him, acknowledging a stubborn pain yet believing Mbappé could push through for the collective. On the eve of a tie that could influence his own future, he wanted his best attacking asset, even on one leg.

For around six weeks Mbappé has played through significant discomfort, especially when accelerating and changing direction, something he had not previously experienced. On 31 December 2025 an MRI showed a lateral collateral ligament injury from the Celta Vigo match on 7 December, requiring at least three weeks out, but he returned after 11 days under friendly pressure from Xabi Alonso before the 3-2 Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona on 11 January.

Source: L'Équipe