Kylian Mbappé starts for Real Madrid against Benfica in Champions League play-off

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·17 febbraio 2026

Kylian Mbappé starts for Real Madrid against Benfica in Champions League play-off

Kylian Mbappé starts for Real Madrid against Benfica in the Champions League play-off first leg, kick-off 21:00.

He was left on the bench against Real Sociedad on Saturday in La Liga. The Frenchman was rested due to pain in his left knee.

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Mbappé will line up in attack alongside Vinicius Junior. He has scored 13 times in this season’s league phase, making him the competition’s top scorer.

Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has kept the same selection as the one named for Real Sociedad. Trent Alexander-Arnold is included and will be making only his third appearance since returning from injury.

Two other Frenchmen start, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga. Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Carreras, Valverde, Güler, Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Mbappé, Vinicius Junior.

Source: L'Équipe