Real Madrid Star Kylian Mbappe Missing for Crucial Champions League Clash vs Benfica

Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe has been ruled out of their crunch Champions League play-off second leg against Benfica.

Why Kylian Mbappe is missing the Benfica match

Mbappe has been struggling with a persistent left knee injury for several months.

While the French superstar managed to push through the pain barrier during the first leg in Lisbon and a recent La Liga outing against Osasuna, his condition worsened during training on Tuesday.

Reports from Spain suggest that the forward is currently operating at only 60% capacity, making the risk of a long-term setback too high for the medical staff to ignore.

Mbappe, who wanted revenge on Benfica after their group stage clash, was noticeably absent from the matchday squad list released this morning.

This marks a frustrating period for the number nine, who has already sat out multiple games this winter due to the same recurring issue.

With the high intensity of the Champions League playoffs, the decision was made to withdraw him from the squad to prevent further damage.

Could Kylian Mbappe require surgery on his knee

The biggest concern for Madridistas isn’t just tonight’s game, but the potential for a long-term absence.

While the club is currently opting for a conservative treatment plan, there are growing whispers that minor surgery might be necessary.

An arthroscopy has not been ruled out if the knee does not show significant improvement over the next ten days of rest.

If the surgery goes ahead, Mbappe would likely face a short spell on the sidelines, potentially returning in mid-March.

However, the club’s priority is ensuring he is 100% fit for the later rounds of the competition and the business end of the domestic season.

How Real Madrid will line up without their star man

With Mbappe out and Rodrygo also unavailable due to suspension, Arbeloa is forced to shuffle his pack.

Vinicius Junior, who was embroiled in a racism storm in the first leg, remains the focal point of the attack, but the spotlight now shifts to youngsters like Gonzalo Garcia and Franco Mastantuono.

Real Madrid hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg, but without their top scorer, the task of finishing off Benfica has become significantly more difficult.