Kylian Mbappé is reportedly unlikely to be available for Real Madrid‘s Champions League playoff second leg against Benfica, as he continues to deal with a knee issue, sources informed ESPN.
The star forward has been experiencing discomfort in his left knee for several months, having missed Madrid’s LaLiga match against Real Sociedad on February 14. He reported further discomfort during training this past Tuesday.
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The club’s medical staff has been managing the situation, but there are concerns—shared by both Mbappé and the medical team—about his potential participation in the critical playoff match on Wednesday.
Real Madrid won the first leg 1-0 in Lisbon on February 17, with Mbappé playing the full match.
Should Mbappé play against Benfica, he may need a 10-day recovery period afterward, according to sources.
The club does not believe that Mbappé is at risk of worsening his injury by playing, sources claim, but he is experiencing pain and is currently operating at approximately 60 to 70% of his capacity.
After the match against Benfica on Wednesday, Madrid will host Getafe on March 2 and then travel to face Celta Vigo on March 7.
This season, Mbappé has been in stellar form for Madrid, netting 23 goals in LaLiga and 13 in the Champions League.
He experienced knee issues prior to Christmas, which kept him out of Madrid’s Champions League match against Manchester City on December 10, and he only managed to play limited minutes during the Spanish Supercopa in January.
His movement seemed hindered during the recent 2-1 LaLiga loss to Osasuna.
“Kylian is ready to play tomorrow, which is our primary focus,” coach Álvaro Arbeloa stated in a Tuesday press conference. “I want to emphasize his dedication to the team and his teammates.”
“He’s eager to contribute on the field. He’s a game-changer and has the ability to influence the outcome at any moment.”