Is Kylian Mbappé Out? Real Madrid Leave Forward Off Squad for Benfica Decider
Kylian Mbappé is not in Real Madrid’s confirmed squad for the Champions League playoff second leg against Benfica at the Santiago Bernabeu, a decision that removes a key attacking option from a tie already tainted by allegations of racial abuse. The omission matters because Madrid must defend a 1-0 aggregate lead without a forward who has struggled with persistent left-knee discomfort.
Is Kylian Mbappé fit for the Bernabéu tie?
Madrid’s squad announced on Wednesday morning did not include the France international after he felt discomfort in his left knee in training on Tuesday. Club doctors have been trying to manage the issue, which dates back to before Christmas. The 27-year-old missed the Champions League clash with Manchester City on Dec. 10 and was limited to only a few minutes in the Spanish Supercopa in January; he also missed LaLiga’s home win over Real Sociedad on Feb. 14. He played the full first leg in Lisbon on Feb. 17 but was reported to have shown restricted movement during Saturday’s 2-1 LaLiga defeat at Osasuna.
Coaching staff publicly stated he was prepared to play—Álvaro Arbeloa said on Tuesday, "Kylian is prepared to play tomorrow, which is the most important thing right now. I want to highlight the commitment he's showing to the team, to his teammates. He's trying to help us on the pitch. He's a decisive player and he can decide a game in any moment. " Still, people close to the player judged him unlikely to feature, and club staff grew pessimistic after the training setback. A final selection choice was expected to be settled after discussions between Mbappé and Arbeloa, but that process concluded with the forward omitted from the travelling/selected group.
Gianluca Prestianni suspension and possible 10-game sanction
Benfica will be without midfielder Gianluca Prestianni after UEFA provisionally suspended him for one match "without prejudice" following allegations that he racially abused Vinícius Jr in the aftermath of the first-leg defeat. The 20-year-old denied the accusation and was seen hiding his mouth with his shirt during the confrontation; he insisted he did not racially abuse the Brazilian. UEFA has signalled that, should it find that an offence occurred, Prestianni could face a ban that would see him miss at least 10 games.
Jose Mourinho’s suspension and his criticism of Vinícius Jr
Benfica coach Jose Mourinho is also suspended for the second leg and will not be in the dugout. Mourinho was sent off during the first leg in Lisbon after a string of complaints about officials from the touchline and has not set foot in the Santiago Bernabéu since leaving Real Madrid in 2013. He accused referee François Letexier of selectively avoiding bookings for Madrid players at risk of suspension, saying he has "had my butt on the bench for 1, 400 games" and that he could see "who he could book and who he couldn’t. " Mourinho added that he will not be sitting on the bench, cannot go to the dressing room and cannot communicate with the team, leaving his assistants to manage the game-day duties.
Vinícius Jr’s response and reactions from Real Madrid figures
Vinícius Jr, who scored the only goal in the first leg, wrote on social media that "racists are above all cowards" after the game. Mbappé publicly backed his teammate and said he had heard Prestianni call the winger a "monkey. " Álvaro Arbeloa praised Vinícius’s character and strength after Prestianni’s provisional one-match suspension. Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois voiced disagreement with Mourinho’s criticism of Vinícius’s celebration, saying, "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, " and adding that he did not think the celebration justified alleged racism.
Santiago Bernabéu showdown: logistics and immediate context
The Champions League playoff second leg is scheduled for Wednesday at 9pm local time (20: 00 GMT) at the Santiago Bernabéu. Madrid travel into the match holding a slender 1-0 aggregate lead after Vinícius Jr’s second-half strike in Lisbon last week; Benfica arrive seeking to overturn that one-goal deficit and can expect an especially hostile welcome in Madrid. Build-up coverage is due to begin at 17: 00 GMT with live text commentary ahead of kickoff.
Beyond the tie, Real Madrid’s calendar sees a LaLiga home match against Getafe on March 2 and an away trip to Celta Vigo on March 7, fixtures that increase the short-term stakes of squad selection and injury management.
What makes this notable is the convergence of a key injury absence, disciplinary measures and a charged atmosphere: Mbappé’s exclusion for physical reasons forces tactical adjustments, Prestianni’s suspension removes a Benfica option, and Mourinho’s absence reshapes the managerial battle on the touchline.
