Kylian Mbappe’s participation in Real Madrid’s crucial Champions League playoff match against Benfica on Wednesday remains uncertain due to recurring discomfort in his left knee. The 27-year-old forward has been grappling with knee issues since December, which have sidelined him for several games, including the recent La Liga victory over Real Sociedad and the Supercopa de Espana semi-final against Atletico Madrid.
Despite playing the full 90 minutes in Madrid’s last two matches, including a solid performance in their first-leg win over Benfica in Lisbon, Mbappe’s condition worsened during Tuesday’s training session, leading club staff to express concerns regarding his fitness for the upcoming clash.
While head coach Alvaro Arbeloa stated that Mbappe is “ready to play,” it is clear that the player’s long-standing discomfort has raised doubts about his match readiness. A final decision on whether he will take the field is expected to be made on Wednesday after further discussions between Mbappe and the coaching staff, although insiders suggest he is likely to be unable to participate.
Real Madrid holds a slight advantage heading into the matchup, leading 1-0 on aggregate thanks to Vinicius Junior’s second-half goal in the previous encounter. Benfica, on their part, will be missing forward Gianluca Prestianni, who faces a provisional suspension following allegations of racial abuse against Vinicius Jr.
This season, Mbappe has been in remarkable form, netting 38 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions, with 13 of those coming in the Champions League. His potential absence could be a significant blow for Madrid as they seek to advance further in the tournament.