No Kylian Mbappe For Real's Revenge: Madrid Star Ruled Out For Benfica UCL Clash

Last Updated:February 25, 2026, 19:23 IST

Real Madrid face Benfica without Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, with Vinicius Jr leading the attack.

Real Madrid will be without star forward Kylian Mbappe for Wednesday’s Champions League playoff second leg against Benfica, after the Frenchman was left out of the squad due to a knee injury.

Mbappe has been managing the issue since December, missing several matches across winter and also sitting out a recent LaLiga fixture against Real Sociedad.

Despite the setbacks, the 27-year-old remains Madrid’s top scorer this season with 38 goals. (23 in LaLiga and 13 in Europe)

Carlo Ancelotti’s options in attack look thin. Madrid have named only Vinicius Junior, Gonzalo Garcia, Brahim Diaz and 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono as forwards for the return clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real carry a slender 1-0 advantage into the second leg after Vinicius scored the winner in Lisbon. That match, however, was overshadowed by controversy, after the Brazilian alleged that Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni directed a racist slur at him during the game.

UEFA provisionally suspended Prestianni for one match, but the Argentine travelled with the squad after Benfica appealed the decision.

Madrid’s injury problems though don’t end with Mbappe.

Midfielder Jude Bellingham remains sidelined with a hamstring problem, while Rodrygo is serving a two-match ban for insulting a match official during a 4-2 group-stage defeat to Benfica.

With key stars missing and tensions lingering from the first leg, the return fixture promises both drama and high stakes as Real look to protect their narrow lead, exact revenge for the unfortunate occurrence in Lisbon and book a place in the next round of the UCL.

(with AFP inputs)

News sports football No Kylian Mbappe For Real's Revenge: Madrid Star Ruled Out For Benfica UCL Clash

Read More