Is Kylian Mbappé a doubt for Real Madrid vs Benfica?

Kylian Mbappé is a serious doubt for Real Madrid’s Champions League play-off decider against Benfica on Wednesday after continued discomfort in his left knee. The 27-year-old has battled knee pain since December and his participation will be decided on Wednesday.

Is Mbappé fit for Wednesday?

Mbappé has been experiencing knee pain since December. He missed several matches, including a home win over Real Sociedad in La Liga this month and the Supercopa de España semi-final against Atletico Madrid. He has, however, played 90 minutes in Madrid’s last two games, including the first-leg victory against Benfica in Lisbon.

Training update and staff view

Mbappé was said to have been in discomfort towards the end of Tuesday’s training session, and club staff were described as pessimistic about his chances of recovering in time for the game. A person close to the club indicated a final decision on his participation would take place on Wednesday after discussions between Mbappé and Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa. People close to the player believe he is unlikely to be in a condition to feature.

Arbeloa’s public stance on fitness

Arbeloa said on Tuesday that the France international is "ready to play" although "everyone knows he’s been dealing with discomfort for several weeks. " The club will make a final call after Wednesday’s discussions.

Match context and schedule

Real Madrid go into the Champions League play-off decider at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, Spain, with a 1-0 lead on aggregate after Vinicius Junior’s second-half strike last week at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. The second leg is scheduled for Wednesday at 9pm (20: 00 GMT). Pre-match build-up begins at 17: 00 GMT.

Benfica suspensions and racism allegations

Benfica will be without forward Gianluca Prestianni, the 20-year-old midfielder who has been provisionally suspended "without prejudice" by UEFA for one match after allegations that he racially abused Vinicius Jr in the aftermath of the Brazilian’s winner. Prestianni could miss at least 10 games if European football’s governing body finds he racially abused Vinicius.

Mourinho, dugout ban and comments

Benfica coach Jose Mourinho is also suspended for the second leg and cannot sit in the dugout after being sent off during the first leg following vituperative complaints about the officials from the touchline. Mourinho has not set foot in the Santiago Bernabéu since leaving Real Madrid in 2013. He criticised Vinicius’s goal celebration and insisted Benfica was not a racist club because their biggest icon, Eusebio, was Black.

Player reactions and aftermath

Vinicius wrote that "racists are above all cowards" on social media after the first leg. Mbappé backed his teammate and said he had heard Prestianni calling the winger a "monkey. " Prestianni, who hid his mouth with his shirt during the confrontation, insisted he did not racially abuse the Brazilian forward after his stunning goal at the Estadio da Luz.

Courtois on the controversy

Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said he disagreed with Mourinho’s words. "At the end of the day, Mourinho is Mourinho. As a coach, you’re always, I think, going to defend your club and what your player has told you, " Courtois said. "The only thing that disappoints me a bit is using Vini’s celebration. I don’t think Vini did anything wrong there. I don’t think we can justify alleged racism because of a celebration. "

Mourinho on officiating and bench ban

Mourinho complained about referee Francois Letexier, saying the official was avoiding booking Madrid players who were at risk of suspension for the second leg. "I’ve had my butt on the bench for 1, 400 games and [I could see that] he knew perfectly well who he could book and who he couldn’t, " Mourinho said. "I [won’t be] sitting on the bench. I can’t go to the dressing room. I can’t communicate with the team. It’s hard for me, but my teammates and my assistants are there. They’ll do their job. "

Mbappé has scored 38 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions this season, including 13 goals in the Champions League. The final line-up for the second leg will be confirmed after Wednesday’s fitness checks and the consultations between Mbappé and Arbeloa.