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Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe Injury Update Emerges Before UEFA Champions League Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Feb 15, 2026 4:16 PM ET

Real Madrid will play Benfica in the Round of 16 Playoffs this week. This round of the Champions League is a two-legged tie, and the first leg will be played at the Estadio Da Luz.

Yesterday, Real Madrid defeated Real Sociedad 4-1 in La Liga with a thin attack in terms of options. Vinicius Junior scored a brace, and Gonzalo Garcia scored in Real Madrid's league win that did not involve the top goalscorer, Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe scored in six consecutive La Liga matches and was part of the squad for the match against Real Sociedad, but the French star was not part of the starting lineup.

Mbappe was on the bench, and Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa kept the French striker on the bench. Reports in Spain suggest that Mbappe is not fit and missed training sessions due to knee discomfort.

Mbappe last played for Real Madrid last weekend, away to Valencia, where he scored in the 2-0 win.

Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team's second goal with Alvaro Carreras during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF at Estadi de Mestalla on February 08, 2026 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images

Ahead of the match against Benfica, Alvaro Arbeloa insists that Mbappe is fine and is expected to be fit for the match.

Alvaro Arbeloa on Kylian Mbappe

After missing the match against Real Sociedad, Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed that Mbappe has some discomoftr on his knee, which is why he decided to rest the player yesterday.

Despite the discomfort, Mbappe is expected to play against Benfica on Tuesday.

Arbeloa said, "He's doing well. Mbappe has had small knee discomfort. It's a long season. He puts in a great effort whenever he steps on the pitch. We decided not to take risks [in playing Mbappe], so on Tuesday, he is prepared to start the match, and that's how it will be."

Reports in Spain also suggest that Mbappe is expected to be one of the first names in the starting XI for the away game against Benfica on Tuesday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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