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Why Is Kylian Mbappe Not Playing Tonight for Real Madrid vs Benfica?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Feb 25, 2026 1:44 PM ET

Real Madrid will play the second leg of the Champions League knockout stage playoffs against Benfica at home, in the Bernabeu.

The Spanish side leads the knockout tie by 1 goal after beating Benfica 1-0 in the first leg last week. Real Madrid will look to advance to the Round of 16 in the Champions League, but they will do it without Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe played the last two games for Real Madrid, including the first leg against Benfica in Portugal and over the weekend in La Liga. Real Madrid played against Osasuna and lost 2-1.

Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid is challenged by Amar Dedic of SL Benfica during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid C.F. at Estadio do SL Benfica on February 17, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Mbappe was not included in the Real Madrid squad for the match tonight, which confirms that he is out. Real Madrid only has four attackers: Vinicius Junior, Gonzalo Garcia, Brahim Diaz, and Franco Mastantuono.

Gonzalo Garcia and Vinicius Junior will be the attackers for today's match.

✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
@SLBenfica pic.twitter.com/gOsS3Wb68V
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) February 25, 2026

The French star played the full 90 minutes in the last two matches after missing a La Liga match against Real Sociedad on February 14, 2026, due to knee discomfort.

Ahead of the second leg against Benfica, Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa was aware of Mbappe's knee discomfort and suggested that the player wanted to play the match despite having pain.

New reports suggest that it won't be possible after more discomfort during the last training session.

New Report on Kylian Mbappe's Knee Injury

Kylian Mbappe will not play against Benfica tonight because the knee pain has led the player and Real Madrid staff to decide not to take any risks of a serious injury.

L'Équipe reports that Mbappe has been playing with pain for six weeks, but he had to stop training a day before the match against Benfica due to more pain. The French outlet reports that Mbappe may miss the next three games for Real Madrid across competitions.

L'Équipe continues its report and suggests that whenever Mbappe tries to put weight on his leg in order to make a run, it hurts him. There are concerns that his injury could get worse, and there is concern from the player as the World Cup approaches.

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

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