Real Madrid have confirmed that star forward Kylian Mbappe will miss Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg against Benfica due to a muscle injury, dealing a significant blow to the Spanish giants’ hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals.
The French international, who has been nursing a hamstring problem sustained in recent weeks, was absent from training on Tuesday and will not travel with the squad to Lisbon, the club said in a brief medical update.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about the team’s depth. “It is a pity that Kylian will not be with us, but we have a strong squad and the players are ready to step up,” Ancelotti told reporters. “We will miss his quality, but the team is prepared.”
Mbappe has scored 12 goals in all competitions this season since joining Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain in a blockbuster summer transfer, but recurring fitness concerns have limited his consistency.
The 27-year-old’s absence comes at a critical stage, with Real Madrid holding a slender advantage from the first leg and needing a positive result in Portugal to secure progression.
Club officials said Mbappe will continue his rehabilitation programme at the club’s Valdebebas training ground, with no timeline yet set for his return.
