Uncertainty surrounded Real Madrid C.F. ahead of the Champions League playoff second leg against SL Benfica, but the verdict is now clear.
Sidelined for several months with a knee injury and forced to cut short Tuesday’s training session, Kylian Mbappé will not take part in this decisive European clash. The Madrid club officially confirmed his absence when the squad list was announced on Wednesday morning.
The former PSG star is not included in the group selected by Alvaro Arbeloa, a major blow as Real Madrid looks to secure qualification. Mbappé has been playing through pain for weeks, raising concerns about his physical condition and recovery timeline. His unavailability puts the spotlight on Madrid’s depth and fuels questions over how long the Bondy native will remain sidelined.