The French star's sudden absence raises concerns in the Spanish capital
In a surprising move that shocked Real Madrid fans, manager Carlo Ancelotti announced the official squad list for the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Benfica, and the list notably omitted the team's star player, French striker Kylian Mbappé. This absence comes at a crucial time as the team seeks to confirm its advantage after a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the first leg in Lisbon.
Background to the decision and context of the injury
Doubts about Mbappé's participation began early on when the French newspaper L'Équipe reported that the player was suffering from pain in his left knee. Speculation intensified after the Spanish newspaper Marca confirmed that his participation as a starter was unlikely. However, the official announcement settled the debate by completely excluding him from the squad, a significant blow to the team's plans. This decision comes after an exceptional season for Mbappé (27 years old), who has scored 38 goals so far, proving himself to be the cornerstone of Real Madrid's new attacking project.
The impact of Mbappe's absence and its strategic importance
Mbappé's absence is more than just a player missing from the pitch; it represents the loss of Real Madrid's greatest attacking threat. Domestically, this absence places immense pressure on other players, such as Vinicius Junior, to lead the attack. In Europe, however, this news gives Benfica a significant morale boost and increases their hopes of causing an upset at the Santiago Bernabéu. According to Spanish reports, Ancelotti's coaching staff opted for a precautionary measure, aiming to address the knee problem thoroughly and ensure the player is 100% fit for the later stages of the competition, which is the top priority for Real Madrid as they seek to extend their record number of titles.
Some sources also indicated that the player himself prefers to find a permanent solution to his injury to ensure his physical stability before entering the crucial stage of the season, which includes the Champions League knockout rounds and the La Liga title race. The question now remains whether Real Madrid can compensate for this significant absence and secure qualification for the Round of 16.
Real Madrid's official squad list against Benfica:
- Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Fran Gonzalez.
- Defense: Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Asensio, Carreras, Fran Garcia, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy.
- Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, Cestero, Manuel Ángel, Palacios, Thiago.
- Forwards: Vinicius Junior, Gonzalo, Brahim Diaz, Franco Mastantono.
