Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe will miss the Champions League play-off second leg against Benfica due to a persistent knee injury.

REAL Madrid will be without star striker Kylian Mbappe for their crucial Champions League play-off second leg against Benfica on Wednesday. A source close to the team confirmed the French forward is sidelined with a knee injury, corroborating an earlier report by L’Equipe.

Mbappe has been managing pain in his left knee for several weeks. The issue involves ligaments on the outside of the joint and has troubled him since before the Christmas break.

Despite the injury, Mbappe is the Champions League’s top scorer this season with 13 goals. He is also Real Madrid’s leading scorer in all competitions.

Coach Alvaro Arbeloa said earlier on Tuesday that Mbappe was “prepared to play” and that he “valued his commitment” in playing through pain. The decision to rest him was made later in the day.

Madrid hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Lisbon last week. That match was marred by alleged racial abuse directed at Madrid winger Vinicius Junior.

Mbappe appeared hampered during Real’s 2-1 La Liga defeat to Osasuna on Saturday. He was not moving with his usual freedom on the pitch.

The team will now have to secure their place in the next round without their primary attacking threat at the Santiago Bernabeu.

 The Sun Malaysia