Mbappé Sidelined by Knee Injury for Real Madrid's Crucial Benfica Clash

Real Madrid face a major setback ahead of their UEFA Champions League playoff second leg against Benfica on February 25, 2026, as star forward Kylian Mbappé is ruled out due to persistent pain in his left knee.

The French superstar, who has been Real Madrid's standout performer in Europe this season with an impressive 13 goals in just 8 Champions League matches, has been managing the issue since December 2025. Despite playing through discomfort in recent weeks—including the first leg against Benfica, where Madrid suffered a 0-2 deficit—Mbappé was forced to leave training early on Tuesday after the pain flared up again.

According to reliable reports from L'Équipe and sources close to the club via ESPN and The Athletic, medical assessments confirmed it would be impossible for him to feature at the Santiago Bernabéu. Club doctors have been cautious, noting the problem involves the lateral ligaments, and while playing wouldn't worsen the injury long-term, Mbappé has been operating at only 60-70% capacity.

The absence leaves Carlo Ancelotti's side (or interim boss Alvaro Arbeloa, per some updates) without their primary attacking threat in a must-win tie to overturn the deficit and advance. Fans and pundits worry about the impact on Madrid's Champions League campaign, especially with high-stakes potential matchups looming.

Get well soon messages have poured in, highlighting Mbappé's importance to the team. A final decision was expected Wednesday morning, but all signs point to him missing out—shifting focus to other forwards stepping up in this decisive European night.