Mbappe misses out on Madrid´s squad for Benfica clash

Kylian Mbappe has been left out of Real Madrid’s squad to face Benfica in the second leg of their Champions League play-off tie.

Madrid hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg, which was overshadowed by an incident involving Vinicius Junior, who claimed he was racially abused by Gianluca Prestianni.

Prestianni has been suspended for one game by UEFA.

Madrid, though, will have to look to get past Jose Mourinho’s team without star striker Mbappe, who is nursing a knee issue.

Our squad for the match!
@slbenfica_en pic.twitter.com/vidfy0nEKH

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) February 25, 2026

On Tuesday, Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa told reporters he was hopeful Mbappe would be able to feature.

“He’s trying to help us on the pitch. He’s a decisive player and he can decide a game in any moment,” Arbeloa added.

Mbappe has score 38 goals in all competitions for Madrid this term.

With 13 Champions League goals, he is only four shy of equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s single-season record of 17 goals in the competition.