Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe will miss Wednesday’s Champions League play-off second leg against Benfica due to a knee injury, AFP has learned from a source close to the team.
The France international, Madrid’s top scorer this season, has been playing through knee pain in recent weeks but will not feature at the Santiago Bernabéu, the source said, confirming a report by French newspaper L’Equipe.
Madrid hold a 1–0 lead from last week’s first leg in Lisbon, a match marred by alleged racial abuse aimed at Los Blancos winger Vinicius Junior.
Mbappe’s coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, had earlier stated that the forward was “prepared to play” and praised his commitment to performing through pain. However, it was later decided he would not take part against Benfica.
Mbappe leads this season’s Champions League scoring chart with 13 goals, despite a persistent issue with the ligaments on the outside of his left knee dating back to before the Christmas break.
He appeared to struggle with mobility during Real’s 2–1 La Liga defeat to Osasuna on Saturday.
AFP
