Kylian Mbappé, the forward for Real Madrid, had to watch as his teammates secured a 2-1 victory over Benfica on Wednesday, advancing to the Round of 16 in the Champions League with a 3-1 aggregate score. Although manager Alvaro Arbeloa had declared him fit just over 24 hours earlier, Mbappé was sidelined due to a recurrence of his knee sprain.
In 2026, Mbappé has already missed five matches because of ongoing knee issues that have been bothering him since December. He injured his knee during a 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo and has struggled to regain full fitness since, occasionally playing through the pain. Arbeloa expressed the team’s appreciation for Mbappé’s determination to continue playing despite the injury.
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Mbappé Opposes Surgery Ahead of World Cup
Following the confirmation that he would miss the match against Benfica, reports emerged on Tuesday that Mbappé may need surgery to address ligament issues if his condition does not improve. According to Diario AS, however, he is against undergoing surgery as he aims to be fit for the World Cup this summer. As a result, he plans to pursue conservative treatment options, mainly focusing on rest, while also considering other alternatives to alleviate his persistent discomfort that has lasted for three months.
Image via Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Possible Return Next Week for Mbappé
After Real Madrid’s victory over Benfica, Arbeloa acknowledged that it might take weeks rather than days for Mbappé to return. His goal is to be back in time for the Champions League Round of 16 match against either Manchester City or Sporting CP in two weeks. Initially, the plan was to miss the upcoming match against Getafe and return for the match against Celta Vigo the following Saturday. However, this time, Mbappé is prioritizing a full recovery after previously aggravating his injury by pushing himself to play.
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While there’s no doubt that Mbappé continues to contribute to the score sheet, he hasn’t displayed the same level of explosiveness as he did in 2025. Meanwhile, Real Madrid has managed without him, with Gonzalo Garcia stepping in. In his absence, Los Blancos have won three out of four matches in 2026, netting a total of 13 goals, which should provide Arbeloa with some reassurance.