He real Madrid will face the second leg of the Champions League playoff against the Benfica with a noticeable drop. Kylian Mbappé will not be available for the duel in the Santiago Bernabéu due to knee discomfort, as revealed by a source close to the club.
The French forward, the team’s top scorer this season and leading scorer in the European tournament, has been in pain for several weeks and it was finally decided not to participate in the decisive match.
Mbappé had been playing with physical discomfort
The attacker has been competing despite problems with the external ligaments in his left knee, a situation that dates back even before the Christmas break. Although initially the coaching staff had left open the possibility of him playing, it was finally decided not to risk his physical condition.
Hours before the announcement, coach Álvaro Arbeloa had indicated that the player was prepared to play the match and highlighted his commitment to compete despite the pain. However, the evolution of the discomfort led to modifying the plans.
During the 2-1 defeat against Osasuna in LaLiga last weekend, Mbappé had already shown difficulties in moving with the usual explosiveness.
Madrid will defend the advantage without its top scorer
The white team comes into the match with an advantage after the 1-0 win in Lisbon in the first leg. Even so, Mbappé’s absence is a significant blow, especially considering that he has 13 goals in this edition of the Champions League.
The first leg was also marked by extra-sports incidents following reports of alleged racist insults directed at the Brazilian Vinicius Junior.
Now, without their main offensive reference, Real Madrid will seek to seal their place in the round of 16 against a Benfica forced to come back at the Bernabéu.
A decline that generates long-term concern
The decision not to field Mbappé aims to avoid major risks in a key stretch of the season, where the club fights both in Europe and in the domestic championship. His physical evolution will be closely monitored in the coming days to determine when he will be able to return to action.
